http://www.medindia.net/healthnews/united-india-insurance-company-limited-news.asp Medindia largest health website in india. en-us Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved. Fri, 25 May 2012 07:31:48 GMT http://www.medindia.net/news/treatment-in-ed-is-based-on-childrens-insurance-status-101228-1.htm The treatment levels for young patients in the Emergency Department (ED) varies according to their insurance status. A new study scheduled for publication in The iJournal of Pediatrics/i reports that children with private, public, and no insurance may receive differing levels of treatment in EDs. In 2009, children with public insurance were three times more likely and children with no insurance were eleven time more likely not to have a primary care physician, compared with children with private insurance....]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/treatment-in-ed-is-based-on-childrens-insurance-status-101228-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/companies-try-to-avoid-steep-health-insurance-bills-by-rewarding-employees-for-healthy-lifestyles-100541-1.htm Companies in the US are struggling with a 113 percent rise in health insurance costs since 2001. They now want to reward employees for leading healthy lifestyles. The Kaiser Family Foundation has reported that about 55 percent of all Americans get their health insurance through an employer. The employee pays a part of that surging premium cost. Workers, in the near future, may be asked to pay a larger part of the premium, but some employers are offering discounts on the worker's share if ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/companies-try-to-avoid-steep-health-insurance-bills-by-rewarding-employees-for-healthy-lifestyles-100541-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/md247com-to-knock-out-health-insurance-companies-through-telemedicine-100537-1.htm MD247.COM will soon launch telemedicine to knock out bureaucrats from health insurance companies. It will apply telecommunication and information technologies in order to provide clinical healthcare at a distance. This was reported by prweb.com. A patient, instead of visiting a clinic for diagnosis of a potential whooping cough outbreak, during which it would be possible to continue the outbreak in the area, will have the luxury of staying home and making a simple call to the MD247 telemedicine hotline....]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/md247com-to-knock-out-health-insurance-companies-through-telemedicine-100537-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/free-mobile-quoting-tool-for-health-insurance-agents-by-healthplanonetm-100464-1.htm HealthPlanOne, a general agency, has launched a mobile interface for Medicare insurance agents nationwide, offering the most competitive products in the Medicare marketplace. This was reported by PRNewswire. With this application, HealthPlanOne has introduced MedicareOnTheGo, nationwide to enable agents to find Medicare eligible prospects and provide these customers with the widest array of Medicare plans available in their market. Unlike other Health insurance quoting tools with limited ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/free-mobile-quoting-tool-for-health-insurance-agents-by-healthplanonetm-100464-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/Rajiv Arogyashri Community Health Insurance Scheme Comes Under Severe Criticism In Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh's universal health coverage plan Arogyashri, for the economically backward sections of the state, may soon be in trouble because of increasing flak being faced by the scheme. The plan, known as the Rajiv Arogyashri Community Health Insurance Scheme (RACHIS), is reportedly proving to be a heavy burden on the state's finances. The experiment in universal healthcare that started in April 2007 during the chief ministership of Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, is now being criticized for taking ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/Rajiv Arogyashri Community Health Insurance Scheme Comes Under Severe Criticism In Andhra Pradesh http://www.medindia.net/news/mayo-clinic-and-assured-diagnosis-inc-launch-two-health-insurance-plans-in-canada-100419-1.htm Two health insurance choices have been announced by Mayo Clinic and Assured Diagnosis Inc. (ADI) of Calgary, as a result of which, Canadians will have better access to Mayo Clinic's specialized care if they meet with a serious illness. The two health plans are MyCare Health Benefit Option (HBO) and MyCare Advantage Insurance. These are now available to companies and associations alongwith their existing benefits packages. This was reported in theprovince.com MyCare HBO helps members get ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/mayo-clinic-and-assured-diagnosis-inc-launch-two-health-insurance-plans-in-canada-100419-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/26-percent-americans-had-a-gap-in-health-insurance-in-2011-says-survey-100340-1.htm About 48 million Americans were uninsured at one point or another during 2011, says a report by the Commonwealth Fund Health Insurance Tracking Survey of US Adults. A nonprofit organization headquartered in New York, the Commonwealth Fund said that 26% of Americans had a hole in their health insurance coverage in 2011. This was reported by wfmz.com. Losses or changes in jobs, either on the part of the individual or his or her spouse, were driving factors in many cases. 'It's a difficult ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/26-percent-americans-had-a-gap-in-health-insurance-in-2011-says-survey-100340-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/religare-health-insurance-goes-on-investment-hiring-spree-100262-1.htm Religare Health Insurance is on an investment and hiring spree to beat the competition in the health insurance market. The economictimes.com reported that the insurer proposes to hire 2,500-3,000 people and invest about Rs 600 crore in the next 3-4 years as part of an aggressive foray into health insurance. The company got R2 approval from the Insurance Regulatory Development Authority (IRDA) early this week, which is the most important regulatory permission given. This is usually given ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/religare-health-insurance-goes-on-investment-hiring-spree-100262-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/domestic-helps-from-jharkhand-and-chattisgarh-to-get-health-insurance-soon-100257-1.htm Many women from Jharkhand and Chattisgarh, who work in metropolitan cities as domestic helps will soon be benefited by health insurance. This was reported by indiatimes.com. These women earn money for the upkeep and education of their brothers and their families. They help establish their brothers and take care of old parents and other relatives. The coordinator of the Domestic Workers' Welfare Trust, Sister Jemma, has now stepped in to provide them and their families with health insurance and BPL (Below Poverty Line) benefits....]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/domestic-helps-from-jharkhand-and-chattisgarh-to-get-health-insurance-soon-100257-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/fluctuations-in-incomes-could-cause-many-new-yorkers-to-lose-health-insurance-100221-1.htm 1.5 million New Yorkers could lose health insurance coverage due to fluctuations in their incomes and eligibility, says a report by the Coalition of New York State Public Health Plans. This was reported in wgrz.com. This is because of fluctuations in incomes and eligibility for certain programs, and subsidies. Thirty percent of non-elderly residents who are below 400 percent of the federal poverty level - which comes to (Dollor) 76,360 annually for a three-person family - could be affected. New ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/fluctuations-in-incomes-could-cause-many-new-yorkers-to-lose-health-insurance-100221-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/consumer-is-king-as-insurers-fight-for-health-insurance-marketshare-100210-1.htm Life insurance companies have now begun offering health insurance products in a bid to grab market share of the booming health insurance industry. These products are savings-linked or investment oriented. Private health insurance has had a heyday in recent years, taking advantage of the absence of state-sponsored health insurance schemes, and low penetration - of about 5 per cent. Added to this, is the rising cost of medical treatment. These factors have helped health insurance sales grow, making ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/consumer-is-king-as-insurers-fight-for-health-insurance-marketshare-100210-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/healthcompare-infographics-to-help-us-citizens-choose-from-a-multitude-of-health-insurance-plans-99759-1.htm Health insurance comparison site, HealthCompare, has released infographics to help US citizens tackle common problems while trying to find health insurance. The data compiled in these information-packed graphics help hundreds of families and individuals understand the necessity of having a policy, and the ease with which this problem can be solved. HealthCompare launched 10 health insurance infographics to help consumers understand the multitude of information that comes with trying to find affordable health insurance....]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/healthcompare-infographics-to-help-us-citizens-choose-from-a-multitude-of-health-insurance-plans-99759-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/consistent-health-insurance-status-makes-emergency-room-visits-less-frequent-says-study-99718-1.htm 'Consistency in provision of health insurance type improves access to primary-care services and reduces patient reliance on emergency department services.' This was reported in a study undertaken by Dr. Adit Ginde, of the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and his colleagues. On the other hand, changes in health insurance status drive people to visit Emergency Rooms more frequently. This is because, 'health policy changes and economic forces are expected to create disruptions in health ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/consistent-health-insurance-status-makes-emergency-room-visits-less-frequent-says-study-99718-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/nasscom-ties-up-with-oriental-insurance-to-provide-health-insurance-to-it-sector-99717-1.htm Nasscom has allied with Oriental Insurance to create a health insurance plan for 2.5 million IT industry employees. This was reported by indiatimes.com. A first of its kind initiative by an industry body, Nasscom TechieHealth Plan will substantially bring down the cost of providing insurance, especially for small and medium businesses (SMBs). Insurance premiums are lower when more people are part of a plan. The scale of the IT sector makes it easier to involve a huge workforce. Over ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/nasscom-ties-up-with-oriental-insurance-to-provide-health-insurance-to-it-sector-99717-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/taiwan-to-postpone-second-generation-national-health-insurance-to-jan-2013-99678-1.htm In order to gain more time to prepare a sound healthcare system, the Taiwan government has decided to postpone the implementation of a second-generation national health insurance program to January 2013. This was reported in focustaiwan.tw. The Cabinet on Tuesday announced the delay with Premier Sean Chen directing the Department of Health to complete the amendments to the existing law. All follow-up measures will have to be concluded before the end of June to pave the way for the new system, Cabinet spokesman Philip Yang said....]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/taiwan-to-postpone-second-generation-national-health-insurance-to-jan-2013-99678-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/thousands-of-us-children-get-health-insurance-under-medicaid-and-child-health-plus-plans-99677-1.htm More than 8,000 children in Onondaga County have been added to Medicaid and Child Health Plus since 2007, The Alliance of Communities Transforming Syracuse (ACTS) announced recently. This was reported in blog.syracuse.com. ACTS has convened a community coalition to address the problem of eligible but uninsured kids. This expansion means that children have increasingly gained access to necessary primary health care. Heightened outreach and administrative streamlining have produced this healthy outcome....]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/thousands-of-us-children-get-health-insurance-under-medicaid-and-child-health-plus-plans-99677-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/zane-benefits-inc-announces-new-website-to-guide-employers-accountants-and-health-insurance-professionals-99676-1.htm Zane Benefits Inc., a leader in Defined Contribution Health Plans and Private Health Exchanges, announced its new website, designed to educate employers, accountants, and health insurance professionals about the new federal regulations allowing simplified employer health benefits. This was reported by prweb.com. As group health insurance costs continue to rise, employers are looking for ways to offer health benefits at a lower price. Zane Benefits' online defined contribution health plan allows an employer to name its price....]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/zane-benefits-inc-announces-new-website-to-guide-employers-accountants-and-health-insurance-professionals-99676-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/lts-myhealth-medisure-prime-insurance-wins-product-of-the-year-2012-award-99675-1.htm L (and) T Insurance's flagship health insurance policy, my:health Medisure Prime Insurance, has been awarded 'Product of the Year 2012' for its outstanding and distinctive features. The plan emerged a clear winner in the General Insurance category as per the largest face-to-face, national survey conducted by Nielsen, a leading global research firm. 'Product of the Year' award is a global consumer recognition standard that rewards the best innovations in retail products in various countries. Speaking on the occasion, Mr....]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/lts-myhealth-medisure-prime-insurance-wins-product-of-the-year-2012-award-99675-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/taipei-academics-support-health-insurance-premiums-based-on-household-incomes-for-nhi-plan-99591-1.htm Civic groups and academics in Taipei said on Sunday, that the government should scrap the supplementary premiums mechanism on health insurance and charge a premium based on household incomes. This was suggested in case the government wanted to make the second-generation National Health Insurance (NHI) program fair in all respects, reported taipeitimes.com. Former health minister Yaung Chih-liang told a press conference that regulations on premium calculations should be revised so that premium fees are proportional to incomes....]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/taipei-academics-support-health-insurance-premiums-based-on-household-incomes-for-nhi-plan-99591-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/fidelis-care-to-provide-health-insurance-to-about-14000-in-two-counties-99577-1.htm New York State Catholic Health Plan, Fidelis Care, announced that uninsured residents would be helped to apply for quality healthcare by its representatives. The personnel will be available at locations throughout Steuben and Schuyler counties. Fidelis Care provides affordable health insurance coverage through Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus, and Medicaid Managed Care. 10,000 adults in Steuben County between the ages of 19 and 64, and more than 2,400 children under the age of 19, ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/fidelis-care-to-provide-health-insurance-to-about-14000-in-two-counties-99577-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/health-insurance-customers-from-washington-dc-spend-more-on-healthcare-than-any-other-us-city-99512-1.htm In a new study titled 'Which Cities Spend The Most On Health Care And Which Ones Spend The Least?', health insurance quote provider SelfHealthInsurance.com gathered statistical information from Thomson Reuters' repository of health care claims. This was reported by prweb.com The report based on the data, analysed health insurance costs of metropolitan areas in the United States. It also looked at the amount of money Americans spend on their employer-sponsored health care plans on a city-by-city basis....]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/health-insurance-customers-from-washington-dc-spend-more-on-healthcare-than-any-other-us-city-99512-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/kaiser-permanente-health-insurance-plans-rated-highest-by-customers-99443-1.htm Kaiser Permanente announced last week that its members in five geographic regions rated the organization's health plans highest in member satisfaction. This was the result of the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Member Health Insurance Plan Study(SM), reports PRNewswire. The regions in which Kaiser Permanente ranked highest in the J.D. Power study are California, Colorado, South Atlantic, Virginia-Maryland-Washington D.C. and Northwest. These five regions serve 8.5 million of nearly 9 million Kaiser Permanente members....]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/kaiser-permanente-health-insurance-plans-rated-highest-by-customers-99443-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/now-office-of-personnel-management-issues-directive-to-provide-health-insurance-to-lesbians-spouse-99386-1.htm Blue Cross Blue Shield, a US health insurance company, has been directed by the Obama administration to provide coverage to the same-sex spouse of a federal employee. Such coverage has been allowed for the first time, say Gay rights advocates. In a letter to the insurer on March 9, Shirley Patterson, assistant director of federal employee insurance operations for the Office of Personnel Management, said, 'OPM hereby withdraws any outstanding directive regarding the enrollment of Ms. Golinski's wife, Amy C....]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/now-office-of-personnel-management-issues-directive-to-provide-health-insurance-to-lesbians-spouse-99386-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/lt-target-rs-1000-cr-in-health-motor-insurance-premium-by-2016-99260-1.htm L (and) T General Insurance is eyeing huge growth in its motor and health insurance segments. A unit of engineering and construction major Larsen (and) Turbo Group, it plans to be bullish on its growth prospects next financial year, reports PTI. 'We are bullish about our growth prospects in the next fiscal on the back of strong traction coming from motor and health insurance segments,' said the private general insurer's Chief Executive, Joydeep Roy. According to the data released by the Insurance Regulatory ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/lt-target-rs-1000-cr-in-health-motor-insurance-premium-by-2016-99260-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/upmc-to-give-health-insurance-customers-choice-of-40-providers-for-routine-medical-procedures-99255-1.htm Health insurance customers of UPMC Health Plan will soon be able to choose from 40 routine medical procedures in their health plan, reports the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. This will benefit customers as there are big price differences between hospitals. UPMC is the second largest health insurer in Western Pennsylvania. Cost comparisons will initially be provided for routine procedures, such as MRIs, biopsies, colonoscopies and mammograms, and for hospitals with high enough volume to give accurate cost estimates....]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/upmc-to-give-health-insurance-customers-choice-of-40-providers-for-routine-medical-procedures-99255-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/nac-recommends-health-insurance-for-all-indians-99144-1.htm All Indians may soon have health insurance coverage, if the National Advisory Council (NAC), headed by Mrs Sonia Gandhi has its way. The possibility of providing universal health insurance coverage across the country was presented by K Srinath Reddy, President, Public Health Foundation of India and Chairman of the High Level Expert Group (HLEG) constituted by the Planning Commission on Universal Health Coverage for India. It is planned that the public health infrastructure will be evolved ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/nac-recommends-health-insurance-for-all-indians-99144-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/why-are-american-women-paying-higher-premiums-for-health-insurance-than-men-99143-1.htm Women in the US pay higher health insurance premiums, to the tune of (Dollor) 1 Billion more than men do, said a report released early this week by the National Women's Law Center. This is even when they tend to take better care of their health. A 40-year-old woman who does not smoke in Louisville, KY pays (Dollor) 196 a month, compared to the (Dollor) 128 that a male smoker pays for the very same coverage with HumanaOne, according to data cited by the New York Times. But this is not all - over half of the best-selling ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/why-are-american-women-paying-higher-premiums-for-health-insurance-than-men-99143-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/nac-group-for-biometric-smart-cards-to-dole-out-rsby-health-insurance-99140-1.htm A working group of the National Advisory Council (NAC) on social security has recommended that biometric smart cards be used to distribute health insurance and social security benefits under the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY). The smart card will be used to dole out social security to workers of the unorganized sector. It will provide health insurance to 25 million poor, help procure maternity benefit, pension upon retirement, life and disability cover, and financial protection against ill health to the workers....]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/nac-group-for-biometric-smart-cards-to-dole-out-rsby-health-insurance-99140-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/obama-seeks-111-billion-more-to-spend-on-health-insurance-exchanges-99071-1.htm President Obama has requested a huge hike in spending for the mandatory health insurance exchanges in fiscal year 2013 budget, reports heartland.org. Additional outlays of (Dollor) 111 billion requested, will bring the total subsidy funding to (Dollor) 478 billion over the seven years the exchanges are slated to be active. The huge figure requested, may negate any estimated advantages of his signature health care law in lowering the federal deficit. Analysis by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) shows the plan would pile up (Dollor) 6....]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/obama-seeks-111-billion-more-to-spend-on-health-insurance-exchanges-99071-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/us-health-insurance-exchange-oklahoma-14-more-states-to-wait-and-watch-for-supreme-court-ruling-99036-1.htm In a week's time, the US Supreme Court will determine whether President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act is constitutional. So, Oklahoma has been joined by 14 other states in delaying the decision on creating a health insurance exchange, reports tulsaworld.com. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities tracks progress of states toward the abovesaid federal exchange. The states that have decided to wait and watch are: Oklahoma, Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/us-health-insurance-exchange-oklahoma-14-more-states-to-wait-and-watch-for-supreme-court-ruling-99036-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/health-insurance-for-over-279-crore-poor-families-in-india-through-rsby-99027-1.htm Minister of Labour and Employment, Mallikarjun Kharge told Lok Sabha today that more than 2.79 crore BPL families in the country have so far been issued smart cards-based health insurance under the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY). In a written reply to the lower house, he said, over 33 lakh BPL people have already availed of benefits in hospitals from the RSBY. About 2,97,87,800 families have been enrolled until February 2012 under the scheme, he added. The RSBY was launched in October ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/health-insurance-for-over-279-crore-poor-families-in-india-through-rsby-99027-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/chattisgarh-becomes-first-indian-state-to-provide-health-insurance-for-all-citizens-99009-1.htm Chattisgarh's state government has announced a medical cover for all citizens under a special plan, the Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme. The Chief Minister of Chattisgarh, Mr Raman Singh, also holds the portfolio of the finance department. He announced the launch of the plan while presenting the state budget 2012-13 in the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly on Sunday afternoon. Rs 60 crore had been made available in the budget outlay for the scheme in the next fiscal. 'Chhattisgarh will ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/chattisgarh-becomes-first-indian-state-to-provide-health-insurance-for-all-citizens-99009-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/budget-2012-health-insurance-gathers-sheen-as-life-insurance-loses-glitz-98991-1.htm Purchasing health insurance will be cheaper this year for the common man, as Budget 2012 has ushered in an era of tax breaks for preventive check-ups. Life insurance as a savings instrument, on the other hand, will lose its glitz, as the finance minister announced on Friday that in order to be eligible for tax breaks, the minimum cover requirement under a life policy has to be doubled. In the meantime, all forms of insurance - health, motor, property and life - will become more expensive as ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/budget-2012-health-insurance-gathers-sheen-as-life-insurance-loses-glitz-98991-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/budget-2012-health-insurance-for-unorganized-sector-gets-45-percent-hike-98935-1.htm The government's flagship health insurance scheme, the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) for workers in the unorganized sector got a 45 per cent increase in Budget 2012. The PMO had in the recent past, extended the scheme to 'uncovered' categories of workers of the unorganized sector. The smart card-based cashless health insurance scheme, which was launched in 2007, was allocated Rs 752 crore in the last budget. This time, Rs 1,096 crore has been allocated to it. The health insurance ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/budget-2012-health-insurance-for-unorganized-sector-gets-45-percent-hike-98935-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/axa-ppp-enables-fast-access-to-specialist-doctors-for-health-insurance-customers-98934-1.htm A newly enhanced service by AXA PPP healthcare will make it easier for health insurance customers to get ready access to a suitable health specialist. The insurer has extended its fast track booking service to avoid delay in accessing investigation and treatment in cases where customers' General Practitioner (GP) refers them to a specialist without naming a particular person to see for their appointment. AXA PPP healthcare can even arrange bookings if required. A dedicated specialist team ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/axa-ppp-enables-fast-access-to-specialist-doctors-for-health-insurance-customers-98934-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/government-health-insurance-for-beedi-workers-98915-1.htm The government's health insurance scheme for the poor is being extended to cover the beneficiaries of the flagship rural job guarantee scheme and beedi workers, the Economic Survey said on Thursday. The survey, tabled by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in the Lok Sabha, said that there has been an increase in public health investment in the country. 'The Rasthriya Swasthaya Bima Yojana (RSBY) is being extended to cover Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) beneficiaries ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/government-health-insurance-for-beedi-workers-98915-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/additional-health-insurance-helps-tide-over-tough-times-98843-1.htm Take a personal policy from another insurance company - apart from the one that takes care of your group insurance scheme through your employer - and you can have an additional insurance of the same amount! Moreover, the hospitalization, whenever you need it, would be cashless! This is a dream come true for many health insurance customers who exhaust their limit during hospitalization. Some new, innovative insurance products are now being offered by 23 private and 3 public sector general insurance companies....]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/additional-health-insurance-helps-tide-over-tough-times-98843-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/brazil-health-insurance-to-grow-rapidly-by-2016-says-report-98842-1.htm Brazil is expected to see robust growth over the next four years in the health insurance sector, says a new report from UK-based research firm BRICdata. The Brazilian health insurance category rose from BRL9.8bn ( (Dollor) 5.47bn) in 2007 to BRL15.1bn ( (Dollor) 8.43bn) in 2011, recording a CAGR of 11.27%. There was an increase from BRL69.14m ( (Dollor) 38.62m) to BRL88.42m ( (Dollor) 49.39m) in the number of new policies sold in the Brazilian health insurance category during 2007-2011, the review period. During this period, ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/brazil-health-insurance-to-grow-rapidly-by-2016-says-report-98842-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/star-health-insurance-targets-rs-1100-cr-worth-business-in-2012-13-98704-1.htm With retail and individual health insurance policies as its new focus areas, Star Health and Allied Insurance, the largest standalone health insurance company in India, is targeting a gross underwritten premium of Rs 1,100 crore in the financial year 2012-13. This was reported by mydigitalfc.com. This is somewhat lower than the target achieved in 2010-11, when Star Health grew by 30 per cent in gross underwritten premium, to Rs 1,248 crore. The company recently lost the state-sponsored ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/star-health-insurance-targets-rs-1100-cr-worth-business-in-2012-13-98704-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/dubai-launches-electronic-portal-for-health-insurance-claims-98703-1.htm A portal for health insurance claims was officially launched in Dubai by Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), reports the Khaleej Times. The portal will, for a start, capture all insurance claims arising from the Government of Dubai Employee Health insurance program known as 'Enaya' and eventually, the system will roll out to all insurance plans in the Emirate. This means every insurance claim in Dubai will be registered electronically. Al Murooshid ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/dubai-launches-electronic-portal-for-health-insurance-claims-98703-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/obama-administration-to-frame-rules-for-health-insurance-exchange-98702-1.htm An important plan of the new health care law will soon be implemented by the Obama administration when standards are issued for health insurance exchanges. These are the markets where consumers and small businesses will be able to buy coverage from competing private plans. In order to encourage states set up the exchanges, federal officials said, they will give state officials wide leverage to decide on the operational details. However, they said that they would intervene to set up and ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/obama-administration-to-frame-rules-for-health-insurance-exchange-98702-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/64-percent-health-insurance-general-and-life-insurance-employees-report-high-stress-levels-98566-1.htm A few days ago, I called up an insurance company, not to buy their product, but to talk about an interview I intended to do on health insurance with one of their bosses. I must say that all the employees I encountered on the telephone were ill-tempered, snappy and very unhelpful. My suspicions about high stress levels and feelings of demotivation among health insurance, general and life insurance employees were proven, when I read a research carried out by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), reported by hi-mag....]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/64-percent-health-insurance-general-and-life-insurance-employees-report-high-stress-levels-98566-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/bupa-australia-sues-iselect-over-misguiding-tv-ad-on-health-insurance-98565-1.htm Bupa Australia, one of the biggest health insurers down under, and insurance comparison broker iSelect are fighting over 'false' and 'misguiding' claims made by iSelect in a TV advertising campaign, reports smh.com.au. In litigation against iSelect, Bupa has pleaded with the Federal Court to order iSelect to stop making claims that people do not have to undergo waiting periods while switching their health insurance policies. It also wants to be compensated for any financial loss incurred so far....]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/bupa-australia-sues-iselect-over-misguiding-tv-ad-on-health-insurance-98565-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/raising-fdi-limit-exemption-from-service-tax-can-help-health-insurance-term-insurance-in-india-grow-98535-1.htm There are a few things that the health insurance industry wants from Budget 2012-13. Firstly, the limit on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) should be raised. The insurance business has a capital intensive nature and therefore, raising the cap on FDI to at least 49% will provide an incentive to foreign companies to invest in the Joint Venture (JV) company. This was reported in moneycontrol.com. Secondly, there should be separate limits for health insurance and life insurance premiums. This ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/raising-fdi-limit-exemption-from-service-tax-can-help-health-insurance-term-insurance-in-india-grow-98535-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/indians-to-pay-upto-20-percent-higher-health-insurance-premiums-in-2012-98534-1.htm Purchasing health insurance, general, motor and property insurance in India, could become more expensive in barely a month's time. Medical costs have risen by twice as much as overall costs for the fourth year running, says a survey by global consultancy firm, Towers Watson. It is burning a big hole in the pockets of the middle class and the poor alike. The bad news is, rising health insurance cover is here to stay. It was reported earlier that the government has asked insurers to bear ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/indians-to-pay-upto-20-percent-higher-health-insurance-premiums-in-2012-98534-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/reactive-purchase-of-health-insurance-leads-to-a-number-of-conditions-being-excluded-98528-1.htm bMax Bupa Health Insurance was recently in the news for announcing an expected three-fold rise in premium collection by the end of 2012./b Shefali Chhachhi, Director - Marketing, Max Bupa Health Insurance, elucidated on what works best for the common man in the health insurance sector in India. bQ. What is the current status of health insurance in India?/b bA./b The health insurance industry in India is in a nascent stage. When compared to other markets worldwide, ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/reactive-purchase-of-health-insurance-leads-to-a-number-of-conditions-being-excluded-98528-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/economic-slowdown-in-2011-12-slacks-health-insurance-premium-growth-in-india-98499-1.htm The economic slowdown and a lack of government driven plans in India have arrested the growth of health insurance premiums by 25 percent during the fiscal 2011-12. In sharp contrast, the last fiscal 2010-11, registered a growth of 35 percent in premiums, amounting to an estimated total of Rs 13,000 crore, says a report by hindustantimes.com. The loss on premium growth can still be minimized, say health insurance companies, as they are hoping that consumers would buy their products to save taxes....]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/economic-slowdown-in-2011-12-slacks-health-insurance-premium-growth-in-india-98499-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/obama-wants-us-military-to-pay-more-health-insurance-premium-leaves-civil-defense-untouched-98433-1.htm In the proposed defense budget for 2012, the Obama administration has called for a sharp hike in health insurance premiums for military families and retirees, reports thedaleygator.wordpress.com. However, benefits of civilian defense workers who belong to unions, have been left untouched. The proposal is being perceived as divisive and is causing a major rift within the Pentagon, say US officials. Several congressional aides suggest that the move is designed to increase enrollment in Obamacare's state-run insurance exchanges....]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/obama-wants-us-military-to-pay-more-health-insurance-premium-leaves-civil-defense-untouched-98433-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/us-health-insurance-industry-sweeping-with-reforms-98426-1.htm With their insurance profits capped, plans are rapidly branching out beyond their traditional business of selling health coverage. There was a time when U.S. insurers' business was paying claims and putting together networks of physicians and hospitals. Today, they are selling health benefits, developing health information exchange systems and even helping big physician groups bill patients. In 2012, after the U.S health insurance industry was sweeping with reforms and other changes, health plans ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/us-health-insurance-industry-sweeping-with-reforms-98426-1.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/fraudulent-claims-settlements-rob-health-general-and-life-insurance-sectors-in-india-of-9-worth-of-industry-capital-says-study-98389-1.htm Health insurance companies, combined with general and life insurance companies in India, have collectively lost about Rs 30,401 crore as a result of fraudulent claims during 2011. This was reported by businesstoday.intoday.in. A study carried out by Pune-based company Indiaforensic stated that various frauds that took place in the life, non-life and health insurance segments, totaled a loss of about 9 per cent of the estimated size of the entire insurance industry. Health insurance clients, ...]]> http://www.medindia.net/news/fraudulent-claims-settlements-rob-health-general-and-life-insurance-sectors-in-india-of-9-worth-of-industry-capital-says-study-98389-1.htm