MedWorm: Life Insurance

Life insurance may fund real estate deals

bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:00:00 +0100

One of the concerns in the commercial real estate market, as with so many industries, has been the lack of available credit. A lesser-known financing option, however — in the form of lending from life insurance companies — is poised to become more prevalent this year, potentially doubling its investments in commercial mortgages this year. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines)

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Term versus permanent life insurance for pharmacists

Drug Topics - Top News — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

How to understand the difference between term and permanent life insurance. (Source: Drug Topics - Top News)

Term versus permanent life insurance for pharmacists

Modern Medicine — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

How to understand the difference between term and permanent life insurance. (Source: Modern Medicine)

Term versus permanent life insurance for pharmacists

Drug Topics - Pharmacy News — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

How to understand the difference between term and permanent life insurance. (Source: Drug Topics - Pharmacy News)

American Society of Hematology Scholar Awards

ScanGrants feed — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The ASH Scholar Awards are designed to support hematologists who have chosen a career in research by providing partial salary or other support during that critical period required for completion of training and achievement of status as an independent investigator. Eligibility Criteria (as of August 26, 2010)To be eligible for the Junior Faculty Scholar Award (either basic or clinical/translational research), applicants must be within the first three years of their initial faculty appointment as Assistant Professor at the time of application.To be eligible for the Fellow Scholar Award (either basic or clinical/translational research), applicants must have more than two years, but less than five years postdoctoral research training at the time of application. Applicants who are fellows mus...

Iowa insurer fined for MN annuities sales

bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:00:49 +0100

The Minnesota Department of Commerce has fined West Des Moines, Iowa-based American Equity Investment Life Insurance Co. $275,000 for allegedly selling unapproved annuity contracts in the state. (AEL) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines)

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SBLI settles suit with policyholders

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:44:43 +0100

The Savings Bank Life Insurance Co. of Massachusetts and its policyholders — embroiled in an 11-year-old class action lawsuit over profit-sharing policies — have reached a settlement. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

SBLI settles suit with policyholders

bizjournals.com Health Care:Hospitals headlines — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:44:43 +0100

Ariz. insurer to take over Golden State Mutual's policies

bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:51:55 +0100

A life insurance company seized by California regulators in September has signed a tentative agreement with an Arizona-based insurer to take on its policies. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines)

Allianz Life’s 2009 profit best in company history

bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:02:38 +0100

Allianz Life Insurance Co. said Friday that its $800-million operating profit for 2009 was one for the record books. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines)

Claimant Did Not Receive 'Appropriate Care,' 3rd Circuit Finds

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:44:56 +0100

PHILADELPHIA - A disability claimant with a depressive disorder did not receive "regular and appropriate" care for her illness during the period she was "actively at work," the Third Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled Feb. 4, finding no abuse of discretion in the insurer's decision to deny benefits (Helena Barinova v. ING; ReliaStar Life Insurance Co., No. 08-4189, 3rd Cir.; 2010 U.S. App. Lexis 2368). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

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Substantial Evidence Supports Benefit Denial, 6th Circuit Rules

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:44:56 +0100

CINCINATTI - An ERISA-governed disability insurer's denial of benefits to a claimant with rheumatoid arthritis was reasonable, the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled Feb. 5. The appeals court rejected the claimant's argument that she was not given a full and fair review under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (Maribea Balmert v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance Co., No. 08-4433, 6th Cir.; 2010 U.S. App. Lexis 2439). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Texas Federal Judge Dismisses Fiduciary Duty Claim Against Insurer

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:44:56 +0100

HOUSTON - A Texas federal judge on Feb. 12 dismissed a claimant's breach of fiduciary duty claim against an ERISA-governed disability insurer, finding that the claimant has another remedy under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (Jeanette Middleton v. Life Insurance Company of North America, d/b/a Cigna Group Insurance, et al., No. H-09-CV-3270, S.D. Texas; 2010 U.S. Dist. Lexis 12683). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

11th Circuit Rules Action Is Time-Barred

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:44:56 +0100

ATLANTA - The 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals on Feb. 5 ruled that an action to recover benefits under a long-term disability plan was untimely and is barred by the policy's three-year limitations period (Naomi B. Knight, f.k.a. Naomi B. Poole v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America, No. 09-13653, 11th Cir.; 2010 U.S. App. LEXIS 2522). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

ERISA Plan Participant Time-Barred From Challenging Benefits Denial

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:44:56 +0100

CINCINNATI - A disability benefits plan's participant was barred by the plan's three-year limitations period from appealing the plan's denial of benefits determination, despite the participant's argument that the defendants misprocessed his claim, the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals affirmed Jan. 28 in an unpublished opinion (Mark F. Longazel v. Fort Dearborn Life Insurance Company, et al., No. 8-4673, 2nd Cir.; 2010 U.S. App. LEXIS 2063). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Policy Is Governed By ERISA, Kentucky Federal Judge Rules

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:44:56 +0100

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A disability policy issued to an OB/GYN practice that covered three physicians in the practice is governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, a Kentucky federal judge ruled Feb. 3 (William Sweeney, M.D., v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America, No. 3:P09CV-514-S,W.D. Ky.; 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 8908). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

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Consumer Protection Act, Outrageous Conduct Claims Dismissed In Colorado Action

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:44:56 +0100

DENVER - A former radiologist who is suing his disability insurer over the termination of his disability benefits has failed to adequately allege claims for breach of the Colorado Consumer Protection Act (CCPA) and for outrageous conduct and intentional infliction of emotional distress, a judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado held Dec. 18, dismissing the claims (Jonathan Ain v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America, No. 08-cv-00540-WYD-BNB, D. Colo.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 118373). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Judge Rules Carpal Tunnel Is Not An 'Accidental Injury' Per Disability Policy

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:44:56 +0100

SANTA ANA, Calif. - Determining that an insured's carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) was not the result of an accident, a California federal judge on Jan. 25 found that his insurer was not guilty of breach of contract or bad faith by declining coverage under the "accidental injury" provision of his disability insurance policies (Zaven Bilezikjian v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America, et al., No. 07-1438, C.D. Calif.; 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 6666). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

ERISA Disability Claimant Awarded $1.18M In Attorney Fees

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:44:56 +0100

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A federal judge in the District of Columbia awarded $1.18 million in attorney fees on Jan. 13 to a disability claimant who litigated a claim seeking disability benefits for bipolar disorder under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act against Unum Life Insurance Company of America for more than a decade (Jane Fitts v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America, No 98-00617, D. D.C.; 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2529). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Western & Southern partners with IBC on life insurance

bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:07:33 +0100

W&S Financial Group Distributors Inc. is now offering life insurance to IBC Investments Inc. customers in Oklahoma, thanks to a new marketing agreement. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines)

Cut-price DNA test ignites genetic discrimination fears

New Scientist - Genetics — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:40:14 +0100

Customers who take an insurance company up on its offer of a low-cost genetic test could stymie their chances of getting life insurance (Source: New Scientist - Genetics)

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Cut-price DNA test ignites genetic discrimination fears

New Scientist - Health — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:54:14 +0100

Customers who take an insurance company up on its offer of a low-cost genetic test could stymie their chances of getting life insurance (Source: New Scientist - Health)

HCC Insurance broadens online offerings

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:16:16 +0100

HCC Life Insurance Co. wants to make it easier for people to sign up for its short-term health insurance. (EHTH) (HCC) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Russell selling Pantheon unit for $775M

bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:54:58 +0100

Russell Investments, a subsidiary of Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. of Milwaukee, has agreed to sell the business of Pantheon Ventures Ltd., to Affiliated Managers Group Inc., a Massachusetts wealth management company, for about $775 million in cash. (AMG) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines)

Tapping into social media to improve teen health

UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:30:00 +0100

With the average teen spending approximately nine hours a week on social networking sites, the UCLA School of Public Health has partnered with Health Net of California to develop a health literacy training intervention using social media to encourage adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 to utilize their health care more effectively. The two-year project, funded by a $1.1 million grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health, will use a randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of two different interventions — a Web-based social media intervention and a "usual care" intervention — to improve preventive care and decrease emergency room v...

Nationwide Life Insurance to pay Missouri

bizjournals.com Health Care:Hospitals headlines — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:43:02 +0100

Two life insurance companies will pay fines to the state of Missouri and could be refunding money to consumers over concerns about unsuitable sales of variable annuities, state regulators said Friday. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Hospitals headlines)

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Kansas receives $417K insurance settlement

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:24:41 +0100

Kansas has received a $417,000 settlement from insurance giants Nationwide Life Insurance Co. and its affiliate Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Co. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

How Children Understand Parental Mental Illness: "You don't get life insurance. What's life insurance?".

Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: This study raises awareness of children living with PMI and identifies them as a population requiring services. It incorporates children's perceptions of what they know and need to know. Children require assistance to understand and to respond to PMI. Mental health and primary health care clinicians have opportunities to assist these children within collaborative care models developed in conjunction with school services. PMID: 20119563 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)

Failure To Consider SSA Benefits Error, Federal Judge Finds

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:40:13 +0100

LEXINGTON, Ky. - A federal judge in Kentucky on Jan. 5 remanded a long-term disability benefits claim to the administrator for further review, finding that the insurer's denial was not supported by the evidence in the record. The judge found that the insurer failed to address the claimant's award of Social Security disability benefits (Ronald Pemberton v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance Co., No. 08-86, E.D. Ky.; 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 731). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Judge: Insurer's Request For Objective Evidence Was Reasonable

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:40:13 +0100

DETROIT - A group disability insurer that relied on a record review and a lack of objective evidence in its decision to terminate benefits was reasonable, a Michigan federal judge ruled Jan. 4 (Richard Stevers v. United of Omaha Life Insurance Co., No. 09-11743, E.D. Mich.; 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 83). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

7th Circuit Remands Benefit Denial Where Medical Evidence Was Ignored

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:40:13 +0100

CHICAGO - The Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled Dec. 29 that an Employee Retirement Income Security Act insurer acted arbitrarily and capriciously by denying disability benefits based on an independent physician consultant's report that ignored the claimant's medical evidence (Kirsten Majeski v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., No. 09-1930, 7th Cir.; 2009 U.S. App. LEXIS 28492). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

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Policy Is Not Governed By ERISA, Judge Says

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:40:13 +0100

DETROIT - A disability plan whose premiums were paid for by an employer but then were reimbursed by the insured is not governed by ERISA, a federal judge in Michigan ruled Jan. 13. The judge denied the insurer's motion to dismiss breach of contract and emotional distress claims arising from the insurer's denial of disability benefits (Raymond Oliver v. National Life Insurance Co., No. 09-11040, E.D. Mich.; 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2634). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Evidence On Claim Reviewers Is Discoverable, Judge Holds

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:40:13 +0100

SAN FRANCISCO - A federal judge in California on Dec. 28 ruled that discovery into medical evaluators that reviewed an ERISA-governed disability claim is relevant to a possible conflict of interest and that the claimant was entitled to discovery of performance evaluations conducted on the evaluators (Tamara Knopp v. Life Insurance Company of North America, et al., No. C-09-0452, N.D. Calif.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 120267). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

High Court Will Hear ERISA Attorney Fee Case

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:40:13 +0100

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Supreme Court on Jan. 15 agreed to consider whether a disability claimant whose claim for benefits was remanded by a federal district court to the insurer for additional consideration was entitled to attorney fees under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (Bridget Hardt v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, No. 09-448, U.S. Sup.). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Learn whether to establish an irrevocable life insurance trust

Modern Medicine — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Life insurance trusts are addressed (Source: Modern Medicine)

Understand the ins and outs of universal life insurance

Modern Medicine — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

How to know whether universal life insurance is necessary is addressed (Source: Modern Medicine)

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Understand the ins and outs of universal life insurance

Modern Medicine Medical Economics — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

How to know whether universal life insurance is necessary is addressed (Source: Modern Medicine Medical Economics)

Learn whether to establish an irrevocable life insurance trust

Modern Medicine Medical Economics — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Life insurance trusts are addressed (Source: Modern Medicine Medical Economics)

Enterprise Financial sells life insurance subsidiary for $4M

bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:38:25 +0100

Enterprise Financial Services Corp. said Thursday it sold its Millennium Brokerage Group (MGB) to an investor group led by MBG managers for $4 million in cash. (EFSC) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines)

Trustmark buying Health Fitness for $97M

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:43:58 +0100

Health Fitness Corp.’s stock jumped 20 percent Thursday after news that health and life insurance company Trustmark Mutual Holding Co. will spend about $97 million to buy the Bloomington-based manager of workplace health and fitness programs. (FIT) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Former Americo Life Insurance Co. employee sentenced to 30 months in prison

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 22:07:20 +0100

Former life insurance employee Mark Camacho, 41, of Cedar Hill has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for engaging in a conspiracy to defraud his employer of $900,000, the U.S. Attorney’s office of the Northern District of Texas said Friday. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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New Law Eases Restrictions On Assets, Income For "Extra Help" Program

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Effective January 1, 2010, several changes to the law make it easier for older people and people with disabilities to qualify for Extra Help, the federal program that helps people with Medicare pay for their prescription drugs. Under the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA), people who apply for Extra Help will no longer be required to count life insurance policies as an asset, and money and services they receive from family and friends to help cover their living expenses will not count as income... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

One Million Seniors Get More Generous Prescription Drug Benefits

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:00:00 +0100

As of Jan. 1, more than 1 million low-income seniors "are newly eligible for more generous prescription drug benefits under the 'extra help' program" in Medicare, The Associated Press reports. Benefiting from this change are applicants who have life insurance policies or who regularly receive money from relatives to help pay for household expenses. They were previously disqualified because of too many assets or too much income. "Income limits are $16,245 a year for singles and $21,855 for married couples living together... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

One Million Seniors Get More Generous Prescription Drug Benefits

Seniors / Aging News From Medical News Today — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:00:00 +0100

As of Jan. 1, more than 1 million low-income seniors "are newly eligible for more generous prescription drug benefits under the 'extra help' program" in Medicare, The Associated Press reports. Benefiting from this change are applicants who have life insurance policies or who regularly receive money from relatives to help pay for household expenses... (Source: Seniors / Aging News From Medical News Today)

Improving Organ Procurement Travel Practices in the United States: Proceedings from the Michigan Donor Travel Forum

American Journal of Transplantation — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

There are significant risks and inefficiencies associated with organ procurement travel. In an effort to identify, quantify, and define opportunities to mitigate these risks and inefficiencies, 25 experts from the transplantation, transportation and insurance fields were convened. The forum concluded that: on procurement travel practices are inadequate, there is wide variation in the quality of aero-medical transportation, current travel practices for organ procurement are inefficient and there is a lack of standards for organ procurement travel liability coverage. The forum concluded that the transplant community should require that air-craft vendors adhere to industry quality standards compatible with the degree of risk in their mission profiles. Within this context, a purchasing collabo...

Court: Issues Of Fact Exist That Preclude Summary Judgment

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:28:36 +0100

PHILADELPHIA - The Third Circuit Court U.S. of Appeals on Dec. 4 reversed a grant of summary judgment to a disability insurer that terminated benefits under the any-occupation coverage definition, finding issues of fact exist that preclude summary judgment (Linda Gardner v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America, No. 06-5203, 3rd Cir.; 2009 U.S. App. LEXIS 26363). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

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Judge: Benefit Denial Was Not Supported By The Record

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:28:36 +0100

NEW YORK - An ERISA-governed disability insurer that terminated benefits to a claimant with Bechet's disease acted unreasonably, a federal judge in New York ruled Dec. 1, finding that the evidence in the record does not support the insurer's decision. The judge found several procedural irregularities with regard to the insurer's claims handling (Elizabeth Diamond v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance, No. 08-civ-7562, S.D. N.Y.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 111370). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Benefits Payment With A Reservation Of Rights Could Be Bad Faith, Judge Rules

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:28:36 +0100

ELKINS, W.Va. - Finding the holder of two disability insurance policies clearly to be "permanently and totally disabled from his occupation as a lawyer," a West Virginia federal judge on Oct. 28 granted summary judgment to an insured on his insurer's claims of breach of contract and restitution, while denying judgment to the insurer on his bad faith and breach of contract counterclaims (Unum Life Insurance Company of America v. Charles W. Wilson, No. 2:08-cv-73, N.D. W.Va.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 100976). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

LifePoint creates donating life insurance policy

bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:53:34 +0100

Houston nonprofit LifePoint Charitable Endowment has created a life insurance policy that can be donated to a senior’s favorite charity. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines)

LifePoint creates donating life insurance policy

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:53:34 +0100

Reliance On Medical Reviews Was Reasonable, 3rd Circuit Says

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:47:24 +0100

PHILADELPHIA - A plan administrator's denial of benefits to a claimant with soft tissue injuries arising from an automobile accident was reasonable, the Third Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled Nov. 9 in an unpublished decision. The appeals court said the insurer reasonably relied on medical reviews finding that the claimant was not disabled (Stephanie L. Ford v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America, No. 08-4191, 3rd Cir.; 2009 U.S. App. LEXIS 24514). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

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Disability Claimant Not Entitled To Continuing Benefits, Federal Judge Holds

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:47:24 +0100

TAMPA, Fla. - A disability insurer governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act reasonably determined that a claimant was not entitled to benefits under the policy's "any gainful employment" provision because the claimant failed to demonstrate that he could not perform a sedentary job, a federal judge in Florida ruled Oct. 6 in granting the insurer's motion for summary judgment (Paul Harris v. UNUM Life Insurance Company of America, No. 8:08-cv-2328-T-26TGW, M.D. Fla.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 102033). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion Does Not Bar Coverage, 6th Circuit Holds

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:47:24 +0100

CINCINNATI - The pre-existing condition exclusion in a group disability plan does not bar coverage to a claimant who was treated for symptoms during the look-back period but had not yet received a diagnosis related to her disability, the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled Nov. 4 (Ruth A. Mitzel v. Anthem Life Insurance Co., et al., No. 08-4033, 6th Cir.; 2009 U.S. App. LEXIS 24216). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Disability Action Barred By Three-Year Limitations Period, Judge Finds

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:47:24 +0100

TRENTON, N.J. - A breach of contract action that was filed more than three years after a disability insurer's formal denial of benefits is barred by the statute of limitations, a federal judge in New Jersey ruled Nov. 6 in an unpublished decision (Louis Diodato III v. Connecticut General Life Insurance Co., et al., No. 09-03532, D. N.J.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 103715). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

State Law Claims Preempted By ERISA, Michigan Federal Judge Rules

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:47:24 +0100

DETROIT - State law claims for breach of contract, bad faith and emotional distress arising from the denial of disability benefits are preempted by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, a federal judge in Michigan ruled Nov. 6 (Tammy Ciaramitaro v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America, No. 09-CV-13492, E.D. Mich.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 103610). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

The Dad's Army of British cryonics

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:10:32 +0100

In sleepy Sussex is a group of dedicated cryonicists who believe they hold the secret to eternal life. Simon Hattenstone joins them for a demonstration – but first they need to make sure the hosepipe isn't too leakyIn a bungalow in Peacehaven, by the east Sussex seaside, a 72-year-old man and his 62-year-old wife are planning their future. There's no discussion of anything morbid, like death, because, as far as they are concerned there is no such thing as death. When they stop breathing, they will pass into a state of suspended animation. They will be frozen in a giant flask of liquid nitrogen at almost -200C, which will preserve their brains and organs in as fresh a state as possible until technology has advanced to the stage where they can be revived.Many cryonicists choose t...

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Records Support Insurer's Denial Of Benefits, Judge Holds

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:35:23 +0100

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - An ERISA-governed insurer's denial of disability benefits to a claimant with multiple sclerosis was supported by the administrative record, a federal judge in California ruled Sept. 29, finding that it was not an abuse of discretion for the insurer to rely on record reviews and employment reports (Ginger Seitles v. Unum Provident, Unum Life Insurance Company of America, No. S-04-2725, E.D. Calif.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 90582). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Court: Insurer Entitled To Rescind 2 Policies

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:35:23 +0100

TACOMA, Wash. - A federal judge on Oct. 15 ruled that a disability insurer is entitled to rescind two policies that were issued based in part on an oral personal history interview where the claimant did not disclose that he had been treated by a psychiatrist within six months of the interview date (The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. v. Richard L. Koch, No. C08-5394, W.D. Wash.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 96210). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Geoengineering wars: another scientist teases out surprising effect of global deforestation

Scientific American - Official RSS Feed — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:44:00 +0100

AUSTIN--A new and unpublished analysis of the regional impacts of a hypothetical scheme to mitigate global warming via radical deforestation was unveiled here Sunday at a gathering of science journalists and writers, on the heels of a blogging firestorm about geoengineering and climate change in anticipation of the release of S uperfreakonomics: Global Cooling, Patriotic Prostitutes, and Why Suicide Bombers Should Buy Life Insurance . [More] (Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed)

Geoengineering wars: Another scientist teases out a surprising effect of global deforestation

Scientific American - Official RSS Feed — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:44:00 +0100

Guardian Provides 100% Coverage For Swine Flu Vaccine

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0100

The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), one of the largest mutual life insurers and a leading provider of employee benefits for small and mid-sized companies announced that it will cover 100% of the cost associated with the administration of the H1N1 vaccine for employees and their eligible dependents enrolled in a fully-insured Guardian medical plan. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Disability Insurance Website - KF Financial, Inc.

Disabled World — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:04:18 +0100

Set for Life Insurance by KF Financial, Inc. proudly announces launch of its new website for disability insurance and life insurance quotes. The website is the first of its kind in the insurance industry. (Source: Disabled World)

How accurate are doctors, nurses and medical students at predicting life expectancy?

European Journal of Internal Medicine — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:04:20 +0100

CONCLUSION: Doctors, nurses and medical students were inconsistent, inaccurate and imprecise in their prediction of LE with a tendency toward underestimation. This may lead to patients being managed inappropriately. There is a need for improved training and objective outcome prediction models. PMID: 19782929 [PubMed - in process] (Source: European Journal of Internal Medicine)

Record Reviews Support Benefit Denial, Maryland Federal Judge Says

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:56:23 +0100

BALTIMORE - An ERISA-governed disability insurer that denied benefits to a claimant with back pain did not abuse its discretion, a federal judge in Maryland ruled Sept. 14, saying there is sufficient evidence in the record to support the carrier's benefit denial (Marlene Krajewski v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., No. 08-2406, D. Md.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 83741). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

6th Circuit Finds Termination Was Supported By Record

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:56:23 +0100

CINCINNATI - Statements from a claimant's treating physicians that he could return to work supports an insurer's decision to terminate long-term disability benefits to a claimant suffering from chronic pain syndrome, the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled Sept. 21 (George Likas v. Life Insurance Company of North America, No. 07-6514, 6th Cir.; 2009 U.S. App. LEXIS 20917). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Reconsideration Request Counts As An Appeal, Ohio Magistrate Holds

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:56:23 +0100

COLUMBUS, Ohio - A request for reconsideration of a benefits decision counts as an appeal and meets the requirement for an exhaustion of benefits, a federal magistrate judge in Ohio ruled Sept. 17 (Lawrence D. Brogan v. The Hartford Life Insurance Co., No. 2:08-cv-765, S.D. Ohio; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 85101). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

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Policy's 3-Year Limitations Period Is Enforceable, 6th Circuit Says

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:56:23 +0100

CINCINNATI - A three-year contractual limitations period in four separate disability policies is valid and enforceable, the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled Sept. 2 in an unpublished opinion (Harmond H. Schaefer v. AXA Equitable Life Insurance Co., dba Equitable and Disability Management Services Inc., No. 08-2198, 6th Cir.; 2009 U.S. App. LEXIS 19987). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Coverage Terminated Because Of Ethical Violation, 6th Circuit Rules

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:56:23 +0100

CINCINNATI - A disability insurer that terminated coverage to a claimant whose medical license was suspended acted reasonably, the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled Sept. 3 in an unpublished opinion (Niranjan Lal v. United States Life Insurance Co., No. 07-2009, 6th Cir.; 2009 U.S. App. LEXIS 19984). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

7th Circuit: Disability Plan Administrator Owes No Fiduciary Duty To Plan Sponsor

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:56:23 +0100

CHICAGO - A disability plan administrator was not a fiduciary with respect to the plan sponsor under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals affirmed Aug. 18 (Sharp Electronics Corporation v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, No. 08-2959, 7th Cir.; 2009 U.S. App. LEXIS 18385). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Apparent Bad Faith Claims Meet Requirements Of Federal Jurisdiction, Judge Rules

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:56:23 +0100

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The potential recovery associated with an apparent bad faith claim against an insurer is sufficient to establish federal jurisdiction, an Ohio federal judge ruled Aug. 5, denying a plaintiff's motion to remand her complaint to state court (Estate of William A. Millhon, et al. v. Unum Life Insurance Co., No. 2:08-cv-652, S.D. Ohio, Eastern Div.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 68299). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

The Most Powerful Motivator

Psychology Today Anxiety Center — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:55:54 +0100

I was abruptly awakened and told, “The house is on fire. Go outside!” As I ran out of my bedroom and into the hall my socks slipped on the polished oak floor. A guiding hand helped me keep my footing and a frantic voice urged, “Hurry! Hurry!” As I got to the door I looked over my shoulder and saw flames leaping out of the heating grate on the floor. The door was thrown open and I was shoved outside into the carport. “Go stand in the driveway and wait for me. And, DO NOT come back inside. Do you hear me? DO NOT come back inside the house!” The door shut and I began to cry. I stood and stared at the seafoam green door with the frosted jalousie windows.&n...

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Mortality of Life-Insured Swedish Cats during 1999–2006: Age, Breed, Sex, and Diagnosis

Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

A cat life insurance database can potentially be used to study feline mortality. The aim was to describe patterns of mortality in life-insured Swedish cats. All cats ( (Source: Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine)

Business players

OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Mike Welsh of Allentown has joined AC Thompson Financial Services. He has more than 20 years of experience and specializes in the sale of personal auto, home, tenant, business and life insurance. Welsh has been active as a political candidate and... (Source: OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research)

Panel Affirms Insurer's Denial Of Disability Benefits Was Made In Good Faith

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:20:25 +0100

LOS ANGELES - A California appeals panel on July 17 found that although triable issues exist as to whether an insured's claimed disability "was not wholly mental," an insurer did not act in bad faith in denying continued benefits under her policy's two-year limit on benefits for "mental, nervous, or emotional disorder[s]" (Linda L. Bosetti v. The United States Life Insurance Co. in the City of New York, et al., No. B206896 c/w B208835, Calif. App., 2nd Dist., Div. 3; 2009 Cal. App. LEXIS 1166). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

6th Circuit: Claimant Lacked Documentation On Abilities

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:20:25 +0100

CINCINNATI - An ERISA-governed disability insurer that relied on independent record reviews after a claimant's treating physician failed to address the insured's actual functional abilities did not act arbitrarily or capriciously, the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled Aug. 20 in an unpublished decision (Linda L. Kiel v. Life Insurance Company of North America, et. al., No. 08-1990, 6th Cir.; 2009 U.S. App. LEXIS 18769). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

10th Circuit: Administrator Properly Reviewed Records, Sought Expert Opinion

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:20:25 +0100

DENVER - An ERISA-governed disability plan administrator that terminated benefits to a claimant with fibromyalgia acted reasonably, the 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled Aug. 11, finding that the administrator continuously updated the claimant's medical records and conducted clinical record reviews and occupational assessments before its decision to terminate benefits (Barbara Colleen Holcomb v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America, No. 08-6183, 10th Cir.; 2009 U.S. App. LEXIS 17818). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

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2nd Circuit Says Reliance On Physician Reports Was Reasonable

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:20:25 +0100

NEW YORK - An ERISA-governed disability insurer that relied on physician record reviews in its decision to terminate benefits to a claimant with fibromyalgia and other ailments acted reasonably, the Second Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled July 29 (Deborah Hobson v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., No. 07-0364, 2nd Cir.; 2009 U.S. App. LEXIS 16677). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

7th Circuit Remands Case For Further Review Under MetLife v. Glenn

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:20:25 +0100

CHICAGO - The Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals on Aug. 6 remanded to a district court a suit involving the termination of a long-term disability claim, finding that the lower court failed to adequately address the standard of review with regard to the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in MetLife v. Glenn (Edward Raybourne v. Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York, No. 08-2754, 7th Cir.; 2009 U.S. App. LEXIS 17480). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Remand To ERISA Administrator Not Basis For Fee Award, 4th Circuit Holds

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:20:25 +0100

RICHMOND, Va. - A federal district court's remand of an Employee Retirement Income Security Act claimant's claim for long-term disability benefits to the insurer for additional consideration did not make the claimant a prevailing party for purposes of an attorney fee award, the Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled July 14 in an unpublished per curiam opinion (Bridget Hardt v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, et al., No. 08-1896, 4th Cir.; 2009 U.S. App. LEXIS 15478). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Federal Judge Finds Claimant Had No 'Colorable Claim'

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 10:55:31 +0100

PITTSBURGH - A federal judge in Pennsylvania on June 24 granted an insurer summary judgment on a claimant's action alleging failure to disclose plan documents, finding that the claimant did not have a "colorable claim for benefits" (Catherine L. Hill v. Connecticut General Life Insurance Co., No. 07-1706, W.D. Pa.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 53831). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

MetLife's Termination Decision Is Arbitrary; Attorney Fees Awarded

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 10:55:31 +0100

NEW YORK - Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.'s termination of long-term disability benefits to a claimant suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome was arbitrary and capricious because MetLife provided inadequate notice of the type of objective evidence it required, failed to consider objective evidence presented by the claimant and relied on "flawed" reports of independent medical consultants, a federal judge in New York ruled June 22 in remanding the case to MetLife for reconsideration (John Magee v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, No. 07-8816, S.D. N.Y.). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

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Appeals Panel: 'Totally Disabled' Is Defined By Insurance Policies' Language

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 10:55:31 +0100

NEW YORK - Because an insured is still able to perform "one or more" of his job's duties, a panel in the Second Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals on July 2 affirmed a lower court's finding that Eric Klein is not "totally disabled" and its grant of summary judgment to his insurer (Eric S. Klein v. Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., No. 08-2663, 2nd Cir.; 2009 U.S. App. LEXIS 14580). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Use Of Government Job Description Was Reasonable, Judge Finds

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 10:55:31 +0100

SAVANNAH, Ga. - A group disability plan administrator that used the Dictionary of Occupation Titles job description in assessing whether a claimant is unable to perform the duties of his regular occupation acted reasonably, a federal judge in Georgia ruled July 7 (Thomas Green v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance Co., No. 408CV068, S.D. Ga.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 57340). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Insurer Wrongly Calculated Benefits, Federal Judge Holds

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 10:55:31 +0100

OKLAHOMA CITY - An insurer that based its benefit calculation on statements by an employer rather than actual pay documentation acted in error, a federal judge in Oklahoma ruled June 29 (Karen Hollaway v. Principal Life Insurance Co., No. CIV-07-406, W.D. Okla.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 54848). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Moon memorabilia go under the hammer

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:19:12 +0100

Apollo artefacts auctioned in New York included a star chart used by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, and a lunar checklist from Apollo 16 containing cheeky cartoonsArtefacts from the history of space exploration went under the hammer yesterday at an auction in New York. Auctioneers Bonhams presented nearly 400 lots, including many that were used on the surface of the moon. The auction coincided with the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, with over 50 items from that mission on sale. These included the star chart used by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to determine their position on the lunar surface, which went for $218,000. The chart comprises two rotating plastic discs 9 inches across, and a velcro patch on the back containing traces of lunar dust. In a letter accompanying the char...

David Lindsey Announces Completion of Acquisition of USNow by Pan-American Life Insurance Group

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:31:00 +0100

PLANO, Texas, July 17, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- David Lindsey announced today that Pan-American Life Insurance Group has completed the acquisition of USNow, a nationally recognized leader in the marketing, administration and management of limited medical plans. (Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE))

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New York Life Well-Prepared For Pandemic, Stress Test Reveals

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:00:00 +0100

Recently, the World Health Organization raised the pandemic alert to level 6, which officially declared the H1N1 flu outbreak a pandemic. New York Life Insurance Company, the largest mutual life insurance company in the United States, announced that the company is well prepared to meet its commitments to policyholders in a pandemic, even one as severe as the highly lethal 1918 flu pandemic. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Q&A: What's a "waiver of premium" rider?

Modern Medicine Medical Economics — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:59:29 +0100

My insurance agent is telling me that if I purchase a "waiver of premium" rider on the life insurance policy that I am considering, it will provide me with additional disability benefits. (Source: Modern Medicine Medical Economics)

Q&A: What's a "waiver of premium" rider?

Modern Medicine — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:07:59 +0100

[Leadership and talent initiatives in urology.]

Der Urologe. Ausg. A — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Steffens JA, Anheuser P Over the past 2 years the majority of clinics in Germany had problems to find qualified personnel. This was the conclusion of a study by the Victoria Life Insurance and the FAZ Institute. The investigation was based on a survey of those responsible for personnel decisions in large business concerns and clinics in Germany. The main topics of the interviews were the insufficient professional perspectives, inadequate financial resources, family unfriendly working hours and continuously growing bureaucracy. PMID: 19575176 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Der Urologe. Ausg. A)

Premiums on the Rise

WSJ.com: Health — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 03:16:40 +0100

After nearly two decades of falling prices, term life-insurance premiums are heading up. (Source: WSJ.com: Health)

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Standard of review-effect of conflict on standard of review. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. v. Glenn, _S. Ct._, 2008 WL 2444796 (6/19/08).

Benefits Quarterly — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:46:03 +0100

Authors: An ERISA plan administrator, whether it is an insurance company or a self-insured employer, has a conflict of interest if it both decides who receives benefits and makes benefits payments. That conflict of interest is one factor that should be taken into account in determining whether the administrator has abused its discretion in a case. PMID: 19408445 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Benefits Quarterly)

The assessment of free volitional competence in cases of suicide with life insurance. - Cording C, Saß H.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:28:49 +0100

[ePub (volume, issue, and page range not yet available)] The German insurance law stipulates that in cases of suicide, life insurance providers are not obligated to pay within a restriction period of 3 years, except if it can be proven that the sui... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

Dismissal Sanction Was Not Abuse Of Discretion, 10th Circuit Holds

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:51:09 +0100

DENVER - The 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals on June 10 upheld sanctions that dismissed a breach of contract action against a disability insurer that denied benefits to a claimant with post-traumatic stress syndrome and other ailments. The appeals court said the lower court did not abuse its discretion in issuing sanctions (Tina Garcia v. Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America, et al., No. 08-1022, 10th Cir.; 2009 U.S. App. LEXIS 12503). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Federal Judge: Briefing In Violation Of Discovery Rulings Stricken

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:51:09 +0100

NEWARK, N.J. - A federal judge in New Jersey on June 2 ruled that a disability claimant's summary judgment pleadings should be stricken because they violate the court's previous discovery rulings. The judge, however, refused to impose sanctions and instead allowed the claimant to refile its briefings (Richard D. Weiss v. First Unum Life Insurance Co., et al., No. 02-4249, D. N.J.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 46116). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Evidence Supports Benefit Denial, Oregon Federal Judge Finds

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:51:09 +0100

PORTLAND, Ore. - An insurer that relied on seven medical record reviews in its decision to deny benefits to a claimant with cancer acted reasonably, a federal judge in Oregon ruled June 3 (Fred A. Barnes v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America, No. 04-1203, D. Ore.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 47979). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

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Supreme Court Declines To Consider Remedy For ERISA Procedural Violation

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:51:09 +0100

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Supreme Court on June 1 denied review of a Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals Nov. 18 ruling that a district court erred by granting a disability claimant long-term disability benefits for a violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act's requirement that a claimant is entitled to notice of her right to an administrative appeal on an adverse benefits determination. The appeals panel held that the proper remedy for the procedural violation was to remand the matter to the plan administrator for a full and fair review (Joanne Gagliano v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, No. 08-1068, U.S. Sup.; See December 2008, Page 15). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

The case for investing in life insurance

Modern Medicine — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Now is an ideal time to learn about the proven benefits, strengths, and versatility of life insurance and annuity investing. (Source: Modern Medicine)

The case for investing in life insurance

Modern Medicine Medical Economics — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Now is an ideal time to learn about the proven benefits, strengths, and versatility of life insurance and annuity investing. (Source: Modern Medicine Medical Economics)

Mesothelioma Lawsuit Results in $2 million for Family of Asbestos Exposure Victim

Asbestos and Mesothelioma News — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:47:45 +0100

The family of a woman who passed away from mesothelioma received $2 million after a jury deliberated for three days following a three-week trial. Juanita Rodarmel of Bloomington, Illinois passed away after developing mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure. The case stated Rodarmel was exposed to the toxic mineral when she washed the clothing of her first husband, Leslie Corry, a former employee of Union Asbestos & Rubber Company. Secondhand exposure to asbestos frequently occurred when workers who handled asbestos-containing materials unknowingly brought asbestos fibers into the home in their hair or on their clothing and skin. If the fibers were inhaled or ingested by the family members of the workers, they could become lodged in the body, causing i...

Life Insurance Drug Test

Suboxone Forum — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:38:00 +0100

Author: LogicalTruth Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 6:38 pm Interesting question. Buprenorphine doesn't show up in most drug screen tests for abuse drugs, but life insurance companies care about things that could affect your overall health and longevity and I guess addiction is such a factor. Still, I'd just assume they won't test for it and if they do-- well you can always tell them you didn't think you had to report that and show them the prescription and hope for the best. Please post whether or not they detect it as I'm sure many would like to know. (Source: Suboxone Forum)

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Life Insurance for Living Kidney Donors: A Canadian Undercover Investigation

American Journal of Transplantation — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Some living kidney donors encounter difficulties obtaining life insurance, despite previous surveys of insurance companies reporting otherwise. To better understand the effect of donation on insurability, we contacted offices of life insurance companies in five major cities in Canada to obtain $100 000 of life insurance (20-year term) for 40 fictitious living kidney donors and 40 paired controls. These profiles were matched on age, gender, family history of kidney disease and presence of hypertension. The companies were blinded to data collection. The study protocol was reviewed by the Office of Research Ethics. The main study outcomes were the annual premium quoted and total time spent on the phone with the insurance agent. All donor and control profiles received a quote, with no signific...

[The assessment of free volitional competence in cases of suicide with life insurance.]

Der Nervenarzt — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Cording C, Saß H The German insurance law stipulates that in cases of suicide, life insurance providers are not obligated to pay within a restriction period of 3 years, except if it can be proven that the suicide was committed in a state that precludes the insured's ability to make free choices. The relevant psychiatric assessment criteria are identical with those of mental and volitional competence in general. However, a different profile of patients and other disorders are involved, mainly depressive syndromes, but also chronic alcoholism as well as schizophrenic and paranoid syndromes. The assessment has to be based on the legal concept of mental disorder, which is different from the current diagnostic classifications in psychiatry. Decisive psychopathological symptoms...

How Much Do Life Insurers Profit from Tobacco?

TIME.com: Top Science and Health Stories — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:55:00 +0100

In a letter to the New England Journal of Medicine, Harvard researchers call on life-insurance companies to divest their holdings in tobacco-related stocks (Source: TIME.com: Top Science and Health Stories)

Health insurers want you to keep smoking, Harvard doctors say

Scientific American - Official RSS Feed — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:00:00 +0100

Health and life insurance companies in the US and abroad have nearly $4.5 billion invested in tobacco stocks, according to Harvard doctors. [More] (Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed)

Louis I. Dublin and the development of the observational study: the metropolitan life insurance company natural history (cohort) studies of typhoid fever and scarlet fever.

Annals of Epidemiology — Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Lilienfeld DE During 1911-1914, using the resources of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Louis I. Dublin conducted two national studies into the survival of those surviving episodes of typhoid fever or scarlet fever. He identified an elevated risk of such mortality, associated with specific causes of death, among those having had typhoid fever but not among the scarlet fever survivors. The studies were methodologically sophisticated, resembling those conducted three to four decades later. The studies appear to have been accepted by the medical and public health communities. However, the absence of modern data processing technology and the lack of financial support for such studies by other investigators precluded the further development of modern epidemiology until Worl...

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3rd Circuit: Denial Under Any-Occupation Period Reasonable

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Thu, 28 May 2009 04:28:12 +0100

PHILADELPHIA - The Third Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals on April 30 ruled that a group disability insurer acted arbitrarily in terminating benefits to a claimant with foot problems during the "own occupation" coverage period but was reasonable in denying benefits during the "any occupation" coverage period (Christine L. Serbanic v. Harleysville Life Insurance Co., et al., No. 08-1059, 3rd Cir.; 2009 U.S. App. LEXIS 9302). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Evidence Does Not Support Insurer's Decision To Deny Benefits, Judge Says

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Thu, 28 May 2009 04:28:12 +0100

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Failure to address the effects of pain medication on a claimant's job ability was arbitrary, a federal judge in Arkansas ruled May 7, finding that the claimant provided sufficient proof of disability (Richard McAllister v. Life Insurance Company of North America, et al., No. 08-CV-03619, E.D. Ark.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 38849). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Whether Claimant Is Disabled Is Issue Of Fact, Judge Holds

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Thu, 28 May 2009 04:28:12 +0100

PHILADELPHIA - Under Pennsylvania law, whether a claimant is disabled under an insurance policy is an issue of fact, a federal judge ruled May 12, denying an insurer's motion for summary judgment and saying the issue should be decided by a jury (Daniel O. Koshy v. Ohio National Life Insurance Co., No. 08-03319, E.D. Pa.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 40380). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Discovery Outside Administrative Record Allowed, Judge Rules

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Thu, 28 May 2009 04:28:12 +0100

SCRANTON, Pa. - A federal judge on May 14 ruled that a plaintiff may conduct discovery outside the administrative record to prove her claim of procedural irregularities, finding that to prevent such discovery may cause "manifest injustice" (Allison Magera v. The Lincoln National Life Insurance Co., No. 3:08-CV-0465, M.D. Pa.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 40559). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Discovery Into Conflict Of Interest Warranted, Judge Holds

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Thu, 28 May 2009 04:28:12 +0100

SAN FRANCISCO - A federal judge in California on May 15 ruled that a claimant can proceed with limited discovery into an ERISA-governed insurer's conflict of interest in determining her eligibility for disability benefits (Elizabeth Fowler v. Aetna Life Insurance Co., et al., No. C-08-03463, N.D. Calif.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 41260). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

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Magistrate: Evidence Sought By Insured Is Irrelevant To Bad Faith Claim

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Thu, 28 May 2009 04:28:12 +0100

NEW ALBANY, Ind. - A federal magistrate judge on April 20 denied an insured's motion to compel discovery of 97 files reviewed by an independent claims review firm, finding that the files of other claimants are irrelevant to her claims against insurers for breach of contract and breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing (Deborah Sieveking v. Reliastar Life Insurance Co. and MADISON National Life Insurance Co., No, 4:08-cv-45-DFH-WGH, S.D. Ind., New Albany Div.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 33466). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

8th Circuit: Causal Connection Not Required For Less Deferential Review

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Thu, 28 May 2009 04:28:12 +0100

ST. LOUIS - Unum Life Insurance Company of America's denial of disability benefits was an abuse of discretion under the standard of review for decisions of plan administrators under Employee Retiree Income Security Act Section 502(a)(1)(B) enunciated by the U.S. Supreme Court in Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. v. Glenn, the Eighth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled April 30, reversing a trial court's ruling that a less-deferential review was not triggered because the ERISA plan administrator's financial conflict was not causally connected to the denial of benefits (Chronister v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America, No. 07-3552, 8th Cir.). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

1st Circuit Remands ERISA Disability Case In Light Of Glenn

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Thu, 28 May 2009 04:28:12 +0100

BOSTON - In light of the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. v. Glenn, the First Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals on May 6 refined its abuse of discretion standard of review in cases where an Employee Retirement Income Security Act plan administrator both evaluates and pays claims to take into consideration the steps the plan administrator has taken to insulate the decision-making process against the effects of structural conflicts (Diane Denmark v. Liberty Life Assurance Company of Boston, et al., No. 05-2877, 1st Cir.). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Survey of unaffected BRCA and mismatch repair (MMR) mutation positive individuals

Familial Cancer — Sun, 24 May 2009 06:07:53 +0100

We report the results of a survey of 47 unaffected, mutation positive individuals regarding insurance outcomes. Participants recruited from six different Cancer Risk Programs across the country were queried about their experiences with health, life, and disability insurance, as well as employment issues. Eighty-seven percent of participants carried a BRCA mutation and 87% were part of a group insurance plan at the time of testing. Forty-seven percent of participants self-paid for testing. Less than 10% of participants reported that their results were placed in the general medical record, while 43% did not know where their results were placed. Due to concerns about GD, 13% of participants stated they avoided changing jobs. Thirteen percent stated that their at-risk relatives had not u...

Louis I. Dublin and the Development of the Observational Study: The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Natural History (Cohort) Studies of Typhoid Fever and Scarlet Fever

Annals of Epidemiology — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:12:57 +0100

During 1911–1914, using the resources of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Louis I. Dublin conducted two national studies into the survival of those surviving episodes of typhoid fever or scarlet fever. He identified an elevated risk of such mortality, associated with specific causes of death, among those having had typhoid fever but not among the scarlet fever survivors. The studies were methodologically sophisticated, resembling those conducted three to four decades later. The studies appear to have been accepted by the medical and public health communities. However, the absence of modern data processing technology and the lack of financial support for such studies by other investigators precluded the further development of modern epidemiology until World War II. (Source: Annals...

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Q&A: What residents need to know about life insurance

Modern Medicine Medical Economics — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:58:37 +0100

I know I need more life insurance than what my employer gives me, but how much should I get and what type should I get? (Source: Modern Medicine Medical Economics)

Q&A: What residents need to know about life insurance

Modern Medicine — Thu, 21 May 2009 02:59:23 +0100

I know I need more life insurance than what my employer gives me, but how much should I get and what type should I get? (Source: Modern Medicine)

Momentum builds for ex-Delphi workers

bizjournals.com Health Care:Industry Regulation headlines — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:00:11 +0100

What began in February as a desperate effort by salaried retirees at Delphi Corp. to save their health care and life insurance benefits has blossomed into a movement that cuts across the U.S. auto industry. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Industry Regulation headlines)

Momentum builds for ex-Delphi workers

bizjournals.com Health Care:Physician Practices headlines — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:00:11 +0100

Momentum builds for ex-Delphi workers

bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:00:11 +0100

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Momentum builds for ex-Delphi workers

bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:00:11 +0100

Momentum builds for ex-Delphi workers

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:00:11 +0100

Momentum builds for ex-Delphi workers

bizjournals.com Health Care:Hospitals headlines — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:00:11 +0100

President Obama Calls for Additional Taxes To Offset Budgeting Mistakes That Overstated Revenue for Health Reform

kaisernetwork.org: Health Policy Daily Report — Tue, 12 May 2009 18:10:53 +0100

The Obama administration on Monday proposed $58 billion worth of new taxes in response to findings that returns from the original funding mechanism for President Obama's health care plan were overstated, the AP/Boston Globe reports (Ohlemacher, AP/Boston Globe, 5/11). Revised Treasury Department estimates show that Obama's main tax initiative for funding half of the 10-year health care reform trust fund -- through a 28% cap on deductions for U.S. households in the top two tax brackets -- would raise $266.7 billion over 10 years, about $51 billion less than the estimate of $318 billion included in the budget blueprint Obama presented in February. The other half of the fund would come from Medicare savings also included in the budget plan (Calmes [1], New York Times, 5/12). The White House O...

Guardian Highlights Significance Of Critical Illness Insurance During National Stroke Awareness Month

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 05 May 2009 08:00:00 +0100

The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian) supports National Stroke Awareness Month in May and asks families, business owners, benefits decision makers and employees to consider the financial consequences that this devastating illness can have on a person's financial security. According to the National Stroke Association, stroke is the number one cause of adult disability. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Jama 100 years ago: salvage in life-insurance

JAMA — Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: JAMA)

Insurance Company Prudential To Offer Life Insurance To HIV-Positive People In United Kingdom

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 04 May 2009 09:00:00 +0100

The insurance company Prudential will begin to offer life insurance policies to HIV-positive people in the United Kingdom, London's Daily Telegraph reports. According to the Telegraph, PruProtect -- a partnership between Prudential and a South African firm -- initially will offer the insurance to 7% of HIV-positive people and hopes to extend coverage to 20% of HIV-positive people. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Prudential first to offer life cover for HIV

Telegraph Health — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 04:53:23 +0100

Prudential will become the first mainstream insurer to offer life cover to people with HIV. (Source: Telegraph Health)

6th Circuit Finds Benefit Denial Was Arbitrary, Capricious

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:56:18 +0100

CINCINNATI - The Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals on April 8 reversed a lower court's finding that an insurer's decision to terminate benefits to a doctor with cervical problems was reasonable. The appeals court found the denial of benefits arbitrary and capricious in light of the medical evidence (Lois Kramer v. Paul Revere Life Insurance Co., et al., No. 07-1552, 6th Cir.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 32021). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

9th Circuit: Insured Entitled To Own-Occupation Long-Term Benefits

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:56:18 +0100

SAN FRANCISCO - An ERISA-governed disability plan administrator that terminated benefits to a claimant with cognitive problems abused its discretion, the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled March 25, finding that the claimant was entitled to benefits during the remainder of the own-occupation coverage period. The appeals court, however, found that the claimant was not entitled to benefits during the any-occupation coverage period (Sandra Frost v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., et al., No. CV-05-02486-JFW, 9th Cir.; 2009 U.S. App. LEXIS 6325). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

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Missouri Federal Judge: Evidence Supports Benefit Denial

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:56:18 +0100

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - A federal judge in Missouri on April 13 ruled that Unum Life Insurance Company of America did not abuse its discretion in denying benefits to a claimant with thyroid problems and allergic airway disease, finding that the administrative record supports the insurer's decision (Aldina Cagle v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America, et al., No. 1:07CV157SNLJ, E.D. Mo.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 31612). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Arizona Federal Judge: Mental Illness Limitation Applies

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:56:18 +0100

PHOENIX - The policy's 24-month mental illness benefit limitation period applies to a claimant suffering from drug addiction, a federal judge in Arizona ruled April 14 (Michael K. Kelly v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America, et al., No. CV-07-2512, D. Ariz.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 32830). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Judge: Insurer Had No Duty To Begin Investigation Until Survival Period Expired

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:56:18 +0100

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - An insured's right to disability benefits did not begin until he survived 180 days beyond the date of his injury; therefore, there was no duty on the part of an insurer to begin its investigation until the expiration of the 180-day period, a Mississippi federal judge ruled March 17 (Elijah J. Barnes v. Stonebridge Life Insurance Co., No. 2:08cv45KS-MTP, S.D. Miss., Hattiesburg Div.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 21623). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

8th Circuit Remands For Reconsideration In Light Of Glenn

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:56:18 +0100

ST. LOUIS - In light of the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. v. Glenn, a federal trial court must reconsider its ruling that an ERISA disability insurer's conflict of interest need not be taken into account in the court's determination that the insurer did not abuse its discretion in denying "any occupation" benefits, the Eighth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled March 19 (Kathleen M. Hackett v. Standard Insurance Company, No. 07-3166, 8th Cir.; 2009 U.S. App. LEXIS 5823). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Judge Dismisses Claim For Anticipatory Repudiation

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:56:18 +0100

CHICAGO - A federal judge in Illinois on April 20 dismissed a plaintiff's claim for anticipatory repudiation, finding that the claim is preempted by Section 155 of the Illinois Insurance Code (Ralph Menotti v. The Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., No. 08-C-2767, N.D. Ill.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 33403). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

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11th Circuit: Fees For Prelitigation Administrative Procedures Not Recoverable

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:56:18 +0100

ATLANTA - A disability claimant who agreed to stay litigation brought pursuant to ERISA and to participate in a voluntary claim reassessment process with an insurer defendant is not entitled to recover attorney fees and costs for work done in that process because it is "substantially similar to the pre-litigation administrative proceedings required by ERISA" for which such fees and costs are not recoverable, the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals affirmed March 30 (Lisa Kahane v. UNUM Life Insurance Company of America, No. 08-15022, 11th Cir.). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Development of a Clinical Prediction Model to Calculate Patient Life Expectancy: The Measure of Actuarial Life Expectancy (MALE)

Medical Decision Making — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions. The evidence-based actuarial data utilized in this computer program design represent a valuable resource for use in the clinical decision-making process, where an accurate objective assessment of patient LE can so often make the difference between patients being offered or denied medical and surgical treatment. Ongoing development to incorporate additional comorbidities and enable Web-based access will enhance its use further. (Source: Medical Decision Making)

2nd Circuit Denies Reconsideration In McCauley v. First Unum

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 04:02:05 +0100

NEW YORK - The Second Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals on March 17 denied First Unum Life Insurance Co.'s petition for a panel rehearing or en banc review of its December decision finding that the insurer was affected by its conflict of interest in its decision to deny benefits to a claimant with colon cancer (John E. McCauley v. First Unum Life Insurance Company, et al., Nos. 06-5100, 06-5529, 2nd Cir.; 2008 U.S. App. LEXIS 26094). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Federal Judge Says Plan Not Governed By ERISA, But Contract Claim Stands

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 04:02:05 +0100

DETROIT - There is no evidence that a claimant's employer financially contributed to disability policy premiums, a federal judge ruled March 12, finding that the policy was not governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. The judge allowed the claimant's breach of contract claim to stand, finding that issues of fact exist over whether the claimant is residually disabled (Richard J. Roberts v. Principal Life Insurance, No. 07-11936, E.D. Mich.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 19818). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

4th Circuit: Insurer Entitled To Benefit Offset

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 04:02:05 +0100

RICHMOND, Va. - An ERISA-governed disability insurer that applied a workers' compensation benefit offset acted reasonably under the plan, the Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled March 11 (Larry Carden v. Aetna Life Insurance Co., No. 07-2165, 4th Cir.; 2009 U.S. App. LEXIS 5122). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

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Judge Denies Motion To Dismiss Claim For Breach Of Duty

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 04:02:05 +0100

SYRACUSE, NY - A federal judge on Feb. 10 denied an insurer's motion to dismiss an insured's claims for breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing and attorney fees, finding that the New York Court of Appeals' decision in Bi-Economy Market Inc. v. Harleysville Insurance Company of New York has changed the landscape of insurance contract law in New York (Anne K. Chernish v. Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., No. 5:08-CV-0957 [GHL], N.D. N.Y.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9617). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Judge upholds decision on Delphi retiree benefits

bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:33:52 +0100

A judge Wednesday affirmed his Feb. 24 provisional order allowing Delphi Corp. to drop health and life insurance benefits for salaried retirees. (GM) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines)

Judge upholds decision on Delphi retiree benefits

bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:34:37 +0100

Judge upholds Delphi decision

bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:18:16 +0100

A judge Wednesday affirmed his Feb. 24 provisional order allowing Delphi Corp. to drop health and life insurance benefits for salaried retirees. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines)

Decision coming on Delphi-retiree case

bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:07:37 +0100

Delphi Corp. salaried retirees, including several hundred former workers at Delphi Thermal Systems in Lockport, are awaiting a key court decision expected Wednesday that will affect their health and life insurance coverage. (GM) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines)

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Mesothelioma Lawsuit Provides $2.6 Million in Compensation

Asbestos and Mesothelioma News — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:26:54 +0100

A recently settled asbestos case in Illinois has awarded $2.6 million to the family of a woman who passed away from mesothelioma. Jean Holmes died in April of 2006 at the age of 93 and the lawsuit was filed by her two sons, Roger and John Holmes. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. In the majority of cases, the disease occurs in the form of pleural mesothelioma and affects the lining of the lungs. One of the unfortunate side effects of this disease is that symptoms do not typically arise until twenty to fifty years after the initial asbestos exposure, causing most patients to be diagnosed during the latest stages of development. According to court documents, Jean Holmes experienced secondhand asbestos exposure after laundering her husband�...

Benefit Denial Was Reasonable, Kentucky Federal Judge Finds

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 04:27:48 +0100

LEXINGTON, Ky. - An ERISA-governed insurer that relied on record reviews and surveillance video in its decision to deny benefits to a claimant with back pain did not act arbitrarily and capriciously, a federal judge ruled Feb. 5 (Terry Meyer v. Life Insurance Company of North America, No. 08-10-HRW, E.D. Ky.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 8586). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Reliance On Record Review Reasonable, Wisconsin Federal Judge Holds

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 04:27:48 +0100

MILWAUKEE - Reliance on a record review and the report of the claimant's own physician in a group disability insurer's decision to terminate benefits was reasonable, a federal judge ruled Feb. 9 (Michael Boettcher v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., No. 08-C-439, E.D. Wis.; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9739). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)

Judge: Employer Is Not Proper Party In ERISA Action

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 04:27:48 +0100

CINCINNATI - A federal judge on Feb. 9 dismissed claims against Variable Annuity Life Insurance Co. (VALIC), finding that there are no allegations that VALIC had any involvement in its disability insurer's decision to deny benefits (Lawrence D. Brogan v. The Hartford Life Insurance Co., et al., No. C2-08-765, S.D. Ohio; 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9053). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)