NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Taking charge of your toddler's vaccination record may be the best way to ensure he or she doesn't miss any shots, a new study suggests.

HEALTH

"In our country, we think the doctor should have all the medical records," said Dr. James McElligott, a pediatrician at the Medical University of South Carolina who worked on the study. "I like the idea of putting the ownership back in Mom's hands and empowering her a little bit."

When parents kept a so-called shot car...

Continue reading...

Millions missing out on colon cancer screening

By LAURAN NEERGAARD 
AP Medical Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Nearly half the people who need potentially lifesaving checks for the nation's No. 2 cancer killer - colorectal cancer - miss them, despite years of public efforts to make colon screening as widespread as tests for breast and prostate cancer.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MED_HEALTHBEAT_COLON_CANCER?SITE=OHALL2&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Continue reading...

What's Really Driving the Increase in
Health Insurance Premiums?

Anthem plans across the country are working to develop innovative products and programs that help address rising health care costs. Through pay for performance initiatives, consumer directed health plans and transparency initiatives; Anthem is providing access to the information needed to drive down health care costs.

While many people may believe that insurer profits are the driving force behind increasing health insurance ...

Continue reading...

For Immediate Release

Benefits Consultants Report Continued Group Health Rate Increases

 

As the health care reform debates rage in Washington, employers are continuing to see steady increases in rates for group medical coverage, according to a recent survey by The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers.  The Council’s semiannual Employee Benefits Market Survey shows employers of all sizes continuing to experience group medical coverage rate increases and choosing to shift more of t...

Continue reading...

Preparations for Swine Flu or Other Pandemic

As the national media spotlight the potential for a swine flu epidemic or pandemic in the United States, Mexico and elsewhere in the world, individuals are becoming increasingly concerned. Companies such as yours are wondering what you should be telling your employees about this and other potential health risks. Many of you with employees in areas where swine flu has been found are particularly concerned. And some are wondering what Aetna’s resp...

Continue reading...

CIGNA International Expatriate Benefits (CIEB) recognizes that our clients and members may have concerns regarding the reports of outbreaks of Swine Flu in Mexico and several U.S. states. As a proactive measure, the CIEB clinical team has prepared a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) reference that provides valuable information regarding precautions and available resources. The FAQ is available at CIGNA Envoy, CIEB’s web portal at www.CIGNAenvoy.com.

In addition, the CIEB online podcast librar...
Continue reading...

With the economy the way it is, people are finding themselves with out health insurance due to either losing their job or their employer is discontinuing to provide group health insurance.  Few people realize that they can obtain individual health insurance for themself and/or family substantially cheaper than opting for Cobra benefits.  In some scenarios, the premiums are a quarter of what the Cobra premiums are and the benefits are broader.  Another advantage to opting for the individual pl...
Continue reading...