Irvine, CA (PRWEB) April 27, 2012

Dynamic Healthcare Systems, a provider of enterprise technology solutions for Medicare-focused health plans, today announced that it has successfully achieved certification of the Encounter Data End-to-End Testing with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS is requiring the submission of encounter data in 2012 from Medicare Advantage Organizations to more accurately calibrate the risk adjustment model and to analyze utilization and costs. Dynamic is fully certified for Professional Encounter Data submission.

“Receiving Encounter Data End-to-End Testing Certification is a monumental compliance milestone for both Dynamic and the many Medicare Advantage Organizations who are using our EDPS solution,” said Meg O’Toole, President and COO of Dynamic. “Starting next month, our clients will be submitting 100% compliant production data, and with Dynamic’s software, they will also be able to accurately handle rejections and exceptions during parallel processing to monitor the effect this change has on their revenue.”

Dynamic’s EDPS solution provides Medicare Advantage plans with the ability to accept and store encounters and chart data from any source; track each encounter from adjudication to acceptance by CMS; validate provider data against the NPPES database; generate compliant CMS 837 v5010 file submissions; process reply files; categorize errors and rejects; age, correct and concentrate resolution on encounters that are relevant to risk scores; and, compare and reconcile results to RAPS output to determine financial impacts.

About Dynamic Healthcare Systems

Dynamic Healthcare Systems, Inc. delivers comprehensive solutions for Medicare Advantage health plans striving to succeed amid new and evolving regulatory requirements. Headquartered in Irvine, California, the company brings world-class innovations to companies serving the Medicare population. Dynamic Healthcare Systems can be reached at (949) 333.4565. http://www.dynamichealthsys.com.

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Indianapolis, IN (PRWEB) February 13, 2012

Slingshot SEO, the innovative firm delivering digital relevance to deserving brands, and HCC Medical Insurance Services, a leading provider of international medical, are hosting a free webinar at 11 a.m. on Wednesday February 22, to brands interested in meshing their SEO and social media plans for maximum ROI and impact.

The webinar will be led by HCC Medical’s Muhammad Yasin and Slingshot SEO’s Jesse Laffen.

In this webinar, participants will learn:

    How social influences a website’s ranking factors
    How to create social content based on specific SEO keywords
    What social signals mean for a brand’s ROI

The SEO webinar is free but registration is required.

Muhammad Yasin is the Social Media Strategist for an international travel medical and short-term health insurance company. His social media marketing campaigns reached over 2 million people in 2011. Muhammad’s innovative use of social media in the healthcare industry was nominated for a Mira Award in 2010 as well as being featured as a case study in the book Search Engine Optimization: An Hour a Day. He was recently recognized as a Rising Star by the Indianapolis Star and by the Indianapolis social marketing community as the most influential Up and Comer of 2011.

As an evangelist for the use of social media, Muhammad Yasin regularly publishes tips at http://www.muhammadyasin.com.

Jesse Laffen is the Director of SEO Performance at Slingshot SEO. For the past four years, Jesse has been practicing search marketing on behalf of clients to achieve top organic rankings on search engines like Google and Bing. Jesse’s other areas of Internet marketing expertise include conversion rate optimization and copywriting.

About Slingshot SEO

Indianapolis-based Slingshot SEO was ranked #58 on the 2011 list of Inc’s 500 Fastest Growing Companies, and was #14 on the 2011 Tech200. Founded in 2006, Slingshot SEO provides professional SEO services to more than 150 clients across the country. The company’s results are driven by a tireless passion to make deserving brands digitally relevant. For more information about Slingshot SEO and to read customer reviews, visit http://www.slingshotseo.com.

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©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Charlton, Massachusetts (PRWEB) May 11, 2012

Anastasi Insurance, a locally based insurance agency in Charlton, Massachusetts, is proud to announce that although environmental insurance rates are rising as initiatives to “go green” gain momentum, the agency is still capable of securing highly competitive premiums for its clients. While smart business owners know that having proper insurance is essential to protect their company finances, many are struggling to stay afloat in this poor economy.

That’s where Anastasi Insurance has stepped in. As a local, independent agency, Anastai Insurance has the unique ability to compare and shop coverages and premiums nationwide. With more than 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, the agency has been committed to building mutually beneficial relationships with both its clients and partner insurance carriers.

The team at Anastasi knows that every company’s insurance needs are different, which is why the licensed agents work with multiple carriers so that they can find solutions that are tailored to their customers’ unique needs and budgets. The agency can insure virtually any business risk, including those associated with pollution. All manufacturing and agribusinesses can benefit from having affordable environmental insurance to cover cleanup costs, environmental remediation and legal fees associated with a pollution accident. In an era when premium rates are climbing and there are harsher penalties for companies that violate environmental regulations, Anastasi Insurance has been able to put its insurance savvy to the test and provide clients with truly budget-friendly quotes for all lines of business insurance.

About Anastasi Insurance:

With over 25 years of experience, Anastasi Insurance has been New England’s top choice for bonds and insurance, while focusing specifically on solutions of the construction and transportation industries. Whether customers need a bond or insurance in Massachusetts, Connecticut or Rhode Island, the licensed experts at Anastasi Insurance can find a policy that’s right for them. Founder and President Paul M. Anastasi has gained an understanding of the challenges a small business faces in today’s tough environment. As a fellow business owner, he is in a unique position to help others evaluate the cost of assuming risk or transferring that risk to an insurance company or surety.

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) April 25, 2012

The specialty pharmacy market is relatively new and is growing rapidly, fueled by the increasing number of complex chronic conditions that require more of the latest highly engineered pharmaceuticals. Specialty pharmacies offer a high-touch, comprehensive care system of pharmacological care wherein patients with chronic illnesses and complex disease states receive expert therapy management and support tailored to their individual needs. Medications that health plans and other payers classify as specialty pharmaceuticals may vary and evolve over time. URAC developed a specialty pharmacy accreditation program because it is one of the key distribution channels for pharmacy benefit management, and it extends URAC’s consumer protection and empowerment efforts in managed care pharmacy.

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), to be considered “specialty,” a drug must fall into five of the following eight categories:

    Treats specific, mainly chronic, and often rare conditions;
    Usage initiates with a specialist;
    Typically not administered orally;
    Requires special handling;
    Involves unique distribution and administration channels, such as special distribution management and specialized paperwork;
    Is costly, ranging from $ 6,000-$ 750,000 per year;
    Requires high degrees of patient management, like increased supervision of counseling; and
    Results in patients requiring reimbursement assistance.

The URAC accreditation program design for Specialty Pharmacy includes five modules: Core Organizational Quality Standards; Customer Service, Communications and Disclosure Standards; Specialty Drug Management Standards; Pharmacy Operations Standards and Patient Management.

“The increased desire for discrete quality management strategies are a good marker of the shift toward better coordinated care,” said Alan P. Spielman, President and CEO of URAC. “This industry-wide movement is cemented by payers’ preference that specialty pharmacies achieve third-party accreditation as a way to confirm their commitment to quality, cost containment and proper utilization.”

Specialty Pharmacy Best Practices

URAC recently recognized Medco Health Solutions, Inc., as recipient of a 2011 Best Practices in Health Care Consumer Protection and Empowerment Awards. Medco’s Specialist Pharmacist Care Model for Improving Medication Adherence program demonstrates how the company’s pharmacy practice for patients with chronic and complex conditions – such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer – improves patient safety, affordability and medication adherence with essential medications. Medco specialist pharmacists are trained in a particular disease and supported by proprietary information systems that enable review of patient-level data and evidence-based clinical protocols to effectively identify and address clinically significant gaps in care, including adherence to essential medication and omissions of essential medications or testing.

Specialty pharmacies with URAC accreditation or that are in-process include:

    Accredo Health Group, Inc.
    Acro Pharmaceutical Services
    Apothecary Shop of Deer Valley, Inc (Arizona Corporation), and Greater Sacramento Pharmacy, Inc. (California Corporation).
    ASAP Pharmacy
    Axium Healthcare Pharmacy, Inc
    Biologics, Inc.
    BioPlus Specialty Pharmacy Services, Inc.
    BioScrip, Inc.
    Brame Huie Pharmacy
    Burman’s Specialty Pharmacy, LLC
    Caremark Rx, LLC
    Centric Health Resources
    Commcare Pharmacy
    Coram RX
    CuraScript
    Cystic Fibrosis Services
    Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc.
    Drugco Pharmacies
    Fairview Pharmacy Services
    Fast Access Specialty Therapeutics
    Fresenius Medical Care Rx LLC
    Giannotto’s Pharmacy
    ICORE Healthcare
    Josefs Pharmacy LLC
    JVJ Pharmacists, Inc. dba University Chemists
    KCC, Inc. dba Vital Care Rx
    Kerr Health LLC
    Kings Pharmacy LLC
    Livingston Infusion Care, Inc., dba Discover Rx Infusion & Specialty Pharmacy
    Longs Drugs of Lexington, SC Inc.
    Main Street Pharmacy
    Mast Drug Company, Inc.
    MedCart Specialty Pharmacy
    MedfusionRx, LLC
    MEDIC SPECIALTY PHARMACY
    Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy
    MedPro Rx Inc.
    OncologyRx Care Advantage
    OncoSource Rx
    OptumRx, Inc.
    Orchard Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.
    Pharmaceutical Specialties, Inc.
    Pharmacy Advantage
    Piedmont Hematology and Oncology Associates
    Portland Professional Pharmacy Associates dba Ascend SpecialtyRx
    Premier Kids Care, Inc.
    Prime Aid Pharmacy, Inc
    Tyro Family Pharmacy
    US Bioservices – An Amerisource Bergen Specialty Company
    Value Specialty Pharmacy
    Village Fertility Pharmacy
    Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy LLC
    Wal-Mart Specialty Pharmacy

About URAC

URAC, an independent, nonprofit organization, promotes health care quality through its accreditation, education and measurement programs. URAC offers a wide range of quality benchmarking programs and services that keep pace with the rapid changes in the health care system and provides a symbol of excellence for organizations to validate their commitment to quality and accountability. Through its broad-based governance structure and an inclusive standards development process, URAC ensures that all stakeholders are represented in establishing meaningful quality measures for the entire health care industry. For more information on URAC’s Specialty Pharmacy accreditation program, visit https://www.urac.org/pqm/.

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

(PRWEB) March 06, 2012

As a major provider of medical supplies, Bright Medical wants to educate the public about the advantages of using Flexible Spending Accounts for the purchase of incontinence products. Incontinence is a common problem for many adults, men and women alike. Bright Medical believes that FSAs offer a convenient way for incontinent adults to save money on the supplies they need to in order to live healthy and productive lives.

FSAs, offered through most employer-based health insurance programs by way of “cafeteria plans,” make it possible for employees—and their elderly dependents—to pay for certain medical expenses not covered by insurance, using pre-tax dollars. These medical expenses include products like disposable adult diapers and adult cloth diapers. While not available through Medicare, FSAs are offered by most Medicare supplement providers and Medigap plans. Today, moreover, FSA debit cards make it easy to withdraw money from FSA accounts to pay for these medical supplies.

The drawback of an FSA is that it runs out at the end of the year, and that whatever the insured party has not used will disappear. Many people do not realize, however, that it’s possible to pay for over-the-counter (OTC) medical items such as incontinence supplies with FSAs. This means that the “use it or lose it” provision can be easily side-stepped by stocking up on much-needed non-perishable medical supplies. This is especially fortuitous for those who use incontinence products on a daily basis.

Incontinence is a problem for many adults, not just the old and infirm. Many active men and women have this condition, and—thanks to a wide range of excellent products—they need not live in fear of leakage or embarrassing “accidents.” Similarly, those who are elderly or frail can look to products like Medline’s Molicare diapers or Molicare Super Plus briefs for their daily hygiene and comfort.

Urinary Incontinence (UI) is defined as the inability to control urination, or the accidental leakage of urine. Though it affects people of all ages and genders, women are twice as likely as men to develop this condition. There are four basic types of incontinence: 1) stress incontinence, which occurs during coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting heavy objects, 2) urge incontinence, which is characterized by a sudden urge to urinate while sleeping, drinking water, or listening to running water, 3) overflow incontinence, which occurs when the bladder, constantly full, overflows and leaks urine, and 4) functional incontinence, which results from disabilities that prevent a person from getting to a bathroom to urinate. Another variety, overactive bladder, is a condition in which the bladder squeezes at the wrong time.

At different ages, men and women have different risks for developing UI. In childhood, girls develop bladder control earlier than boys. However, as adults, women are far more likely than men to experience UI. This is due to several things: the anatomical structure of the female pelvic area, changes brought on by pregnancy and childbirth, and the hormonal changes of menopause. Recent studies have even suggested a possible link between caffeine, menopause, and incontinence.

For men, the prevalence of incontinence increases with age, but it is not an inevitable part of the aging process. UI can be caused, in men, by the enlargement of the prostate gland. This rarely occurs before age 40; but more than half of men in their sixties, and up to 90 percent of men in their seventies and eighties, experience some lower urinary tract symptoms.

For both men and women, anything that damages the nerves can cause urination problems. Diseases that affect the brain and nervous system, such as stroke, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, or diabetes can cause bladder problems—as can spinal cord injury.

While urinary incontinence is widespread, there are a number of high quality incontinence supplies available today. Bright Medical carries a full range of these products, and offers top brands at discount prices. In conjunction with these value-conscious prices, Bright Medical urges its customers to maximize their savings by using FSAs.

One customer recently exclaimed, “I could kick myself for all the money I could have saved on taxes if I’d known about FSAs earlier! I’m so glad you told me!”

Bright Medical stores a massive collection of top quality medical supplies that are sold online to customers across the country. Most of the products are available at a discount. Popular categories include incontinence supplies, wound care products, wheelchairs, bathroom safety assists, enteral feeding, enema bags,exam table paper rolls,patient lifts, surgical supplies,exam gloves and blood pressure monitors.

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

East Hartford, CT (PRWEB) April 19, 2012

Travel Insured International®, the leading privately owned travel insurance provider, has launched a new and improved version of their travel insurance option for group and student group travel protection. The updated Group travel protection programs, which will go into effect April 19, 2012, have been designed in order to provide coverage for group clients’ health, safety, and travel costs. The plans offer medical coverage, an available pre-existing waiver, as well as trip cancellation, all at competitive new rates which make travel insurance even more attractive. “Our group products have always been a differentiator,” states Isaac Cymrot, Vice President of Sales & Industry Relations. Cymrot continues, “Travel professionals have always appreciated the flexibility that our group programs provide, which allows them to protect more of their clients and generate additional revenue for the agency.”

Travel Insured’s Group Programs provide non-age based coverage which keeps travel plans flexible and rates constant no matter the age of the participants. Bob Cook, of Go Travel (Orlando FL), explains, “The group products have been a game saver for us. We now offer a non-aged based insurance product for groups comparable in quality and price to the cruise lines and tour operators.” Primary medical coverage is also included so travelers are not required to file claims with a primary medical insurer as a first step, as well as avoid out of pocket expense in the event of a medical emergency. Cook adds, “This plan allows us to provide items not covered by cruise line or tour operator insurance such as pre and post hotels, airfare, tours, and registration fees for seminars. It is also a simple policy that includes a nice profit margin, not just a lousy 10% of $ 59.00.”

TII’s Group protection policies were created to be as convenient and flexible as possible, in order to adapt to each group’s own personal insurance needs. If a traveler needs a wider range of covered reasons for trip cancellation, the Group Deluxe plan now includes Cancel for Work Reasons and allows the option to be able to cancel travel plans for any reason. The plan has also been designed to be flexible enough to support only Post Departure coverage by selecting the $ 0 trip cost band. This results in a further reduced premium.

In addition, Online enrollment is available for TII’s Group Travel policy, which provides immediate confirmation as well as making administering groups as simple as possible. The Group section on the Travel Insured International website streamlines both the group registration, and the management. Cook notes, “If you are selling groups and not selling a Travel Insured group product with it, you’re leaving your clients without any protection on their investment. It is easy to sell, simple to manage, and should be an automatic addition to all groups.”

About Travel Insured International®

Travel Insured International®, based in E. Hartford, CT, was founded in 1994 by the foresight of insurance industry executive Peter Gehris when he acquired the travel protection division of the Travelers Insurance Company. Plans are underwritten by the United States Fire Insurance Company. Fairmont Specialty and Crum & Forster are registered trademarks of United State Fire Insurance Company. The Crum & Forster group of companies is rated A (Excellent) by AM Best Company 2011. Not all coverage available in all jurisdictions.

Travel Insured International®

52-S Oakland Ave.

E. Hartford, CT 06128-0568

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Tucson, AZ (PRWEB) May 03, 2012

In support of Mental Health America’s “May is Mental Health Month: Do More for 1 in 4,” Sierra Tucson is calling on the community to help the one-in-four American adults who live with a diagnosable, treatable mental health condition and understand how important mental health is to overall health.

“We want people to know that while mental health and substance use conditions are common, they are extremely treatable, and individuals go on to recover and lead full, productive lives,” said Stephen Fahey, Executive Director of Sierra Tucson. “Too many people who are living with a mental health condition never seek or receive help due to stigma, lack of information, cost, or lack of healthcare insurance coverage. We want to encourage people to seek help and know that there is hope for a meaningful, enjoyable life.”

Sierra Tucson is one of the few treatment centers in the country that offers a comprehensive Mood and Anxiety Program. “We have seen an increase in patients seeking treatment for mood disorders,” stated Christi Cessna, Senior Director of Clinical Outreach. In 2011, Sierra Tucson’s distinctive program for mood disorders helped 328 patients who suffered from anxiety or panic disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or other affective disorders. Sierra Tucson’s multidisciplinary staff develops an individualized treatment plan to address each person’s specific needs.

“It is important to know,” emphasized Ms. Cessna, “that our intake coordinators really listen to each person who calls for information to help find the most appropriate treatment for that individual – wherever that might be.”

“Mental health is essential to our overall health and well-being,” explained Mr. Fahey. “We know how events and life changes can affect us. It could be a veteran struggling with the invisible wounds of war or someone coping with the stress of caregiving or divorce or losing a loved one. Sometimes people are dealing with depression associated with a chronic disease such as diabetes, cancer, or hypertension. There are tested tools available that can help every person face difficult times and challenges and improve their resiliency.”

The passage of the federal mental health parity and addiction equity act expands access to care for many people. That law, which applies to groups of more than 50 employees, doesn’t require coverage for mental health and substance use conditions. But if coverage is provided, that coverage must be on a par with coverage for other medical conditions. Higher deductibles, steeper co-pays and other restrictions are no longer allowed for mental health and substance abuse treatment.

Mental Health America (formerly known as the National Mental Health Association) is the country’s leading nonprofit dedicated to helping ALL people live mentally healthier lives. Educational information is available on their website about mental health disorders and treatments.

About Sierra Tucson

A premier facility for treating coexisting disorders, Sierra Tucson is known for its holistic, bio-psycho-social-spiritual treatment approach. Individualized treatment plans incorporate 12-Step philosophy, a wide variety of innovative and integrative therapies, a Family Program, and a combination of Western and Eastern Medicine practices. Dually accredited by The Joint Commission, Sierra Tucson employs full-time medical staff as a key part of its multidisciplinary treatment team. Specialized programs include:

Alcohol & Chemical Dependency
Eating Disorders
Mood & Anxiety Disorders
Pain Management
Sexual Addiction/Compulsivity
Trauma Recovery
Complex Assessment & Diagnosis
Progressions, for advanced recovery skills

Located on 160 acres at the foot of the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson, Arizona, this exceptional facility offers a beautiful, natural healing environment and the highest level of confidentiality. For more information about Sierra Tucson and its programs, call 800-842-4487.

Sierra Tucson is a member of CRC Health Group, the most comprehensive network of specialized behavioral care services in the nation. CRC offers the largest array of personalized treatment options, allowing individuals, families, and professionals to choose the most appropriate treatment setting for their behavioral, addiction, weight management, and therapeutic education needs. CRC is committed to making its services widely and easily available, while maintaining a passion for delivering advanced treatment. For over two decades, CRC programs have helped individuals and families reclaim and enrich their lives.

# # #

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Squaremouth

St. Petersburg, FL (PRWEB) April 25, 2012

Purchasing the wrong travel insurance could cost thousands of dollars in unpaid claims. Travel insurance comparison site Squaremouth.com encourages travelers to fully research all available policies before making a purchase. Travelers should understand why they’re buying insurance and decide the most important scenarios they want covered.

Squaremouth identifies 5 important questions for travelers to ask before purchasing travel insurance.

1. I have a medical issue. Will I be covered if I have complications during my trip?

Pre-existing Condition coverage is typically available to travelers who purchase their policies within two weeks of their original trip deposit and are healthy enough to travel on the policy purchase date.

After the Pre-existing Condition window has passed, travelers will be subjected to a medical look-back period of 60 days to 3 years. If there is has been no medical change during the look-back period, a Pre-existing Condition will often be covered, however, something as small as a prescription change can cause travelers to have a medical coverage exclusion.

“Availability of Pre-existing coverage is a one of the most asked questions from our customers,” says Squaremouth CEO Chris Harvey. “Insurance companies will closely examine travelers’ medical records when they file a claim, so it’s important they understand what is considered a Pre-existing Condition if they don’t have the coverage.”

2. Should I buy Cancel for Any Reason?

Trip cancellation covers travelers who cancel due to an illness or death. Since most travelers typically cancel for these reasons, only travelers who have a specific scenario not already covered by travel insurance should buy Cancel for Any Reason.

Cancel for Any Reason allows travelers to cancel their trip no matter the cause and receive reimbursement for their non-refundable expenses. However, this freedom comes with a price. This coverage can raise premiums by as much as 50% and will only refund up to 75% of the original trip cost.

3. Should I purchase Primary or Secondary Medical Insurance?

Travelers will receive the same type of medical treatment whether they have primary or secondary medical coverage. The difference between the two occurs during the claims process. Primary medical coverage processes the claim faster as the first payer, even if travelers have other medical insurance. Secondary coverage requires travelers to first file with their primary health insurance before processing a claim.

If travelers do not have health insurance, secondary coverage can still fully cover a medical claim.

4. How do I get travel insurance if I didn’t book through a travel agent?

Just as travelers can book online reservations without a traditional travel agent, they can also purchase travel insurance on their own.

However, while buying travel insurance through a cruise or airline may be convenient, it isn’t always advantageous.

“Travelers should approach buying travel insurance in the same manner they make travel plans. They wouldn’t buy the first airfare or hotel rate they come across, nor should they buy the first travel insurance plan they find. Those who do will end up paying more or not have the coverage they expected,” says Harvey.

5. Does it matter when I purchase travel insurance?

Timing is key when it comes to buying a travel insurance policy. Travelers who purchase travel insurance within the first two weeks of their trip deposit date are eligible for additional benefits. Most providers only offer Cancel for Any Reason, Pre-existing Condition, Financial Default and Cancel for Work Reasons coverage if the policy is purchased within 14 days of travelers’ first trip deposit date.

Even if travelers do not purchase travel insurance within those first two weeks, it is still beneficial to buy early.

“Travelers need to make sure they have coverage sooner rather than later, because they can never know when a sickness, weather issue, or other unexpected event could occur,” says Squaremouth Marketing Manager Anna Coats.

Travel insurance companies only pay claims to customers who have insurance before an event takes place, so once a hurricane is named or an airline has announced its bankruptcy, travelers who do not have insurance will not be covered for such incidents.

About Squaremouth

Squaremouth is America’s fastest growing travel insurance comparison site, helping customers instantly quote, compare and buy policies from every major carrier. Squaremouth has web sites in the US and UK, and an extensive network of partner sites worldwide. The company is headquartered in St. Petersburg, FL., with offices in Fort Wayne, IN. Visit Squaremouth.com or Squaremouth.co.uk.

About our Zero Complaint Guarantee

The cornerstone of our commitment to customers is Squaremouth’s guarantee to remove any company from our website if there is a customer complaint that cannot be resolved to our satisfaction. Squaremouth offers the broadest selection of insurance with an emphasis on quality and follow-up care in companies featured. We also factor in independent evaluation from the insurance industry watchdog AM Best.

Squaremouth offers products from the following travel insurance carriers:

Air Ambulance Card, CSA Travel Protection, Global Alert Admin, Global Rescue, Global Underwriters, HCC, HTH Worldwide, IMG, ITravelInsured, Medex, Medjet Assist, MH Ross, On Call International, Seven Corners, Travel Guard, Travel Insurance Services, Travel Insured, Travelers Liberty, Travelex, TravelSafe, Trawick International and USA Assist.

AVAILABLE TOPIC EXPERT:

Anna Coats

acoats@squaremouth.com

Toll-free (800) 240-0369

Direct (727) 214-1623

LinkedIn

Google+

Chris Harvey

charvey@squaremouth.com

Toll-free (800) 240-0369

Direct (727) 490-5802

Chrisharvey.com

LinkedIn

Google+

U.S. travel insurance – http://www.squaremouth.com

U.K. travel insurance – http://www.squaremouth.co.uk

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

WPS is Wisconsin’s leading not-for-profit health insurer.

Madison, Wisconsin (PRWEB) January 20, 2012

Most Wisconsin residents receive health insurance coverage through their employers’ group health plans. But what happens to people who find themselves suddenly unemployed? What options do people have if they decide to change jobs or go into business for themselves? At times like these, it is important for people to understand the facts about their options—including the possibility of continuing coverage under a former employer’s group plan through COBRA. WPS Health Insurance, Wisconsin’s leading not-for-profit health insurer and provider of affordable group and individual health insurance, examines the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (COBRA) and weighs its pros and cons in a new educational article titled, “Health Insurance 101: Is COBRA the Best Option for People Between Jobs?”

Available for free download from the WPS website, this article, “Health Insurance 101: Is COBRA the Best Option for People Between Jobs?” discusses important elements of COBRA, including its eligibility requirements, and helps Wisconsin residents decide whether or not this path is the right one for them.

“Every year, thousands of newly unemployed Wisconsin residents ask the question: ‘Should I enroll in COBRA or shouldn’t I?’” said Jim Baird, vice president of individual sales at WPS Health Insurance. “It’s a big decision, and the answer depends on each individual. That’s why it’s essential for people to know the facts about their health insurance options—so they can effectively decide what’s best for themselves and their families.”

One of the most important concerns for individuals and families when considering COBRA is cost. While COBRA grants former employees and qualified dependents access to all of the same health benefits they enjoyed on the employer’s health plan, the employer no longer pays anything toward the coverage. Instead, individuals are responsible for paying the full group premium plus an administrative fee of up to 2%. In addition, they still must pay any coinsurance, deductibles, and copayments that the plan normally requires.

The article also suggests situations in which COBRA may be a good choice—for example, if the person has a pre-existing medical condition or has certain medical needs—and when it may be better to consider an individual health plan purchased from a private insurance company.

WPS encourages individuals and families looking for more health insurance tips and strategies to check out the WPS Learning Center for free articles on controlling costs, preventing illness, making wise health decisions, and other timely topics. For questions or to request a quote for a high-quality individual or family plan from WPS, please call 1-888-245-4197 to talk with a friendly representative.

About WPS Health Insurance

Founded in 1946, WPS is Wisconsin’s leading not-for-profit health insurer, offering affordable individual health insurance, family health insurance, high-deductible health plans, and short-term health insurance, as well as flexible and affordable group plans and cost-effective benefit plan administration for businesses. In addition, the WPS Medicare division administers Part A and B benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and the WPS TRICARE division serves millions more members of the U.S. military and their families. In 2010 and 2011, WPS was recognized by the international Ethisphere™ Institute as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies, and is the only health insurance company to earn this distinction. For more information about WPS Health Insurance, visit http://www.wpsic.com.

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©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Audiograms are just one of the many services offered by SMS’ new Occupational Health Services division.

Lafayette, LA (PRWEB) April 20, 2012

Safety Management Systems, a subsidiary of Acadian and one of the largest providers of health, safety, environmental, medical and training services in the United States with an increasingly expanding global presence, has now added a complete range of occupational health services to its already vast array of offerings.

SMS’ Occupational Health Services division is a fully customizable program focused on improving health standards and is dedicated to building a healthier and safer workforce for all industries. Their lineup of services includes everything from basic health and wellness screenings and testing at a 96,000 square foot training facility, to full-time Occupational Health Services Technicians that stay on location to provide constant support to remote personnel.

Some of the many services that they now provide are:

    Drug and Alcohol Testing and Compliance
    Audiograms
    Pulmonary Function Testing
    Custom Hearing Protection
    Respirator Fit Testing
    Cholesterol Screening
    Vision Screening
    Cholesterol Testing
    Colorectal Cancer Screening
    Prostate Screening
    Thyroid Screening

“Employees are the number one asset to a company; by checking and monitoring their primary health indicators we can heighten awareness and take the necessary steps to improve their health,” says Leighton Guilbeau, field service supervisor for SMS. “Investing in the health of employees is one of the best decisions that you can make for your company; resulting in lower insurance premiums, reduced absences, less doctor visits and happier and more productive employees.”

Since 1971, Acadian has been committed to providing the highest level of emergency medical care and transportation possible. In the past decade they have expanded to include a diverse suite of services designed to offer the very best support and education in health, safety, and transportation. Acadian’s six divisions are Acadian Ambulance Service, Acadian Monitoring Services, Air Med, Executive Aircraft Charter Service, National EMS Academy and Safety Management Systems.

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