Information Bleg: Utah

If you're a Utah health insurance agent, or a small employer in the Beehive State, we'd like to pick your brains regarding the Health Insurance Exchange. Please drop us a line.

Your confidentiality will be respected.

Ye Olde MVNHS©

Here's what happens when you let the state determine your health care:

"Mrs J ... had Alzheimer’s and lived in a nursing home. She was rushed to Ealing Hospital one evening when her husband found she was having breathing difficulties ... He spent three hours in a waiting room without staff realising he was there, and so missed the chance to be with his wife as she died."

So compassionate and caring.

And this:

"A man who was diagnosed with stomach cancer ... was discharged ... on an August Bank Holiday weekend in a process described by his daughter as a “shambles”. He was left sitting in a chair, behind drawn curtains, for several hours in pain."

And finally:

"Mrs H ... was taken to Birmingham Heartlands Hospital ... While there she suffered serious falls but her only relative was not told, poor nursing records were kept and she lost 11lb ... she was found to have numerous injuries, was “soaked” with urine."

But certainly these are isolated incidents, not systemic failures, right?

Wrong. As FoIB Elena Marie points out, the Much Vaunted National Health Service© has been "condemned over its inhumane treatment of elderly patients in an official report that finds hospitals are failing to meet “even the most basic standards of care” for the over-65s."

That's not a few cherry-picked examples, that's evidence of wide-spread abuse and a breach of the social contract that these seniors entered into long ago. And it's what young Britons have to look forward to as they move into older demographics, as well.

But certainly it's just a matter of throwing more shillings as the problem, right?

In a word, no:

"The damning report warns that extra money will not help the NHS meet required standards of care and that more problems are likely as the population ages."

Ooops.

The problem, as explained by health ombudsman Ann Abraham, is that it's all about the attitude of those who are charged with providing the care in the first place. And Michelle Mitchell, who runs a British charity, concludes:

“The inhumane treatment of older people described in this report is sickening and should send shock waves through the NHS and Government."

And yet, this is the system most admired by Sir Donald.

HappyVille Quest for Utopia (Repost)

Construct the city of your dreams in HappyVille: Quest for Utopia! Design and plan your town to keep your citizen’s content! Anticipate your people’s needs, design freely, and have the initiative to expand and grow your city. Inspire and create happiness as you adapt to new challenges and deal with drastic changes in this fun Simulation game. Unlock new buildings and create gorgeous neighborhoods in Happyville!

DOWNLOAD

Grand Rounds: "Just the facts, ma'am" Edition

Grunt Doc presents this week's no-nonsense version of Grand Rounds. It's brief, clean and gets right to the point. Do stop by.

Yucatan

Remove tiles one at a time from ancient Mayan pyramids, and uncover the tombs within, in this incredible Mahjong game! With an interactive map and storyline, authentic jungle background sounds, and a variety of goals, each level presents an exciting new challenge. Explore magical Yucatan and experience immeasurable fun while going on a fantastic journey.

DOWNLOAD

Carriers Blink [UPDATED]

Last month, we reported that at least one carrier was seeking substantial rate hikes in The Golden State:

"California health insurer has stunned individual policyholders ... Blue Shield of California seeking cumulative hikes of as much as 59%."

Ouch!

Well, never fear, left-coasters:

"Three California insurers agreed to delay any rate increases for two months at the request of Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones."

Blue Cross is not to be confused with Blue Shield in this instance: the "Shield" has not agreed to the moratorium. On the other hand, Aetna and PacifiCare have both joined Blue Cross in agreeing to stave off their planned increases for two additional months. What's interesting is the basis for their action (or, rather, inaction):

"The pause will allow the department time to adequately review recent rate filings."

My question is: "Why?" We learned in the original post that the "insurance commissioner [lacks] legal authority to regulate insurance rates the same way he does automobile coverage." Recently, the law was amended to require "the insurance commissioner to review the reasonableness of health insurance rate increases but the commissioner is not authorized to reject unreasonable rate increases." So they gave him a knife, but purposely dulled the blade.

In other words, there's precious little that Mr Jones can do regardless of whether or not the insurers cooperate. So I ask again, why are they?

UPDATE: Thanks to Jessica in the comments, we learn that "Blue Shield of California has agreed to a request by California's insurance commissioner to delay a March 1 rate increase for 60 days."

Not to be a dullard, but I'd still like to know why.

It's not too late!

To present your beloved with what he or she really wants on Valentine's Day:

Nothing Says “I Love You” Like Life Insurance

Valentine’s Day is one of the more traditional holidays to express how you care for someone. However, according to a recent study published by LIMRA, fewer of us today have insured the financial future of our loved ones. In 2010, it was found that only 44 percent of U.S. households have individual life insurance, and 30 percent of U.S. households have no coverage.

Thanks to Taryn Grows at Intelliquote for the timely reminder.