Daily Quote: "Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are." - - Malcolm S. Forbes
What to expect: After some
coffee and networking, attendees will be spending two hours reviewing almost 100 PowerPoint slides related to the process of selling employee funded
benefits at the workplace.
The Workplace Benefits Association goal is to help benefit brokers achieve
at a higher level while helping to build the overall market for voluntary
employee benefit plans. When agents leave this meeting they should be better
prepared to prospect and open new accounts, make quality enrollment
arrangements, conduct successful enrollments in an individual or group setting,
and build a successful long-term workplace benefits practice.
“The concept is for a broker to be able to walk out of the meeting room and have in hand everything they need to immediately implement and start the process of doubling their workplace benefits income when they return to their office. (Forms, scripts, products)."
1. Mass. Regulator Subpoenas Bond Insurers MBIA, Ambac BOSTON, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Massachusetts' top securities regulator said on Wednesday that he demanded information from bond insurers MBIA Inc (MBI.N: ) and Ambac Financial Group (ABK.N: ) last week in a probe about their exposure to high risk securities. William Galvin, the state's secretary of the commonwealth, said he is trying to determine if the insurers informed Massachusetts communities that were trying to raise money about the insurers' own exposure to collateralized debt obligations. The insurers were subpoenaed last week and are required to deliver a list of Massachusetts public issuer bonds issued in the last two years for which they have insured repayment of principal or interest by Feb. 1, Galvin said. "The market relies on the insurance provided by these companies to price the bonds and to insure that investors get paid in the event of a default," Galvin said in a statement, adding, "If the credit quality of these companies comes into question, the impact on cities and towns is enormous." (Reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss; Editing by Brian Moss) Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 2. Swiss Re Strategy Doubted As Teams Up With Buffett Wed Jan 23, 2008 ZURICH (Reuters) - Swiss Re (RUKN.VX: ) clinched a deal with U.S. billionaire Warren Buffett, giving its beaten-down shares a fillip, but raising concerns the reinsurer was giving a rival too much access to its core business. Swiss Re said Buffett's investment vehicle, Berkshire Hathaway (BRKa.N: ) would take 20 percent of all its property and casualty reinsurance business, freeing up more capital for it to return to shareholders. Financial details were not disclosed. Berkshire also bought a 3 percent stake in Swiss Re, the world's largest reinsurer, whose shares have been battered after it became the first major insurance victim of the credit crisis. The news on Wednesday that one of the world's most respected investors was teaming up with Swiss Re gave the company a much-needed confidence boost. Its shares rose 12 percent in early trading, pulling along rival reinsurers. "Buffett obviously thinks all bad news is in the price and they don't come much smarter, especially in the insurance space. Big positive sector read-across today," one trader said. Swiss Re stock has been hammered since its 1.2 billion Swiss franc ($1.10 billion) subprime-related writedown in November, as markets feared more bad news. The company's reassurances have done little to convince investors the stock is worth buying, despite some analysts saying the company is now looking like a bargain. Swiss Re shares pared gains by 8:43 a.m. ET on Wednesday to change hands at 75.20 francs, up 2.2 percent. The news also supported Europe's insurers, with the Dow Jones Stoxx insurance sector index down 2.8 percent, a smaller fall than overall markets. (Reporting by Douwe Miedema) Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 3. Fourth Quarter Commercial P/C Rates Continue Decline WASHINGTON -- Commercial property/casualty insurance rates continued to decline in the fourth quarter of 2007 for all sizes of accounts although conditions were not dramatically different from the previous quarter, according to the latest commercial market index survey by The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers. Coastal property and wind coverage, particularly in Florida, remained the hardest risks to place although even that market was easing, respondents said. Some carriers were reported to be writing "Named Storm" deductibles, which was unheard of in the past few years. "For our clients that have wind exposures (i.e., coastal), rates are going down and capacity is increasing," one broker observed. "This is directly attributed to not having hurricanes hit the U.S. during the past two years." "While located in the Midwest, we write coverage nationwide. We have seen a return to carriers writing property in wind zones which they were not willing to write last year," another said. "Florida wind for builder's risk has become more available, with rates falling from $1 last year to 50 cents presently," a broker from the Northeast reported. For small accounts (those generating less than $25,000 in commissions and fees), 70 percent of the brokers reported that renewal rates were down from 1 to 20 percent, while 13 percent said the renewal rates were unchanged from the third to fourth quarter. For medium accounts (generating $25,000 to $100,000 in commissions and fees), 77 percent of the respondents reported renewal rates down from 1 to 20 percent, with 13 percent reporting drops of between 20 and 30 percent. Sixty-four percent said their large accounts (generating more than $100,000 in commission and fees) were down 1 to 20 percent, with 15 percent reporting drops in renewal rates from 20 to 30 percent. An analysis of The Council's survey results by Lehman Brothers showed the average renewal rate for accounts of all sizes to be down 12 percent. The average rate decline for small accounts was 8.4 percent, and medium and large account rates declined on average 13.8 percent during the fourth quarter. Respondents to the survey indicated the market experienced no major changes except for an easing of wind deductibles and pricing. That segment of the market had been the exception to the softening conditions affecting other commercial lines. Although some carriers are maintaining underwriting discipline, most respondents said underwriting standards were less stringent. "The book has been thrown out the window. Underwriting discipline is gone," one broker from the Pacific Northwest observed. "It is 2000-2001 rates all over again, and carriers are writing risks they would not have considered two years ago," said another commercial p/c agent. As carriers pushed hard for year-end business, the survey respondents said accounts renewing in the fourth quarter were getting premium quotes between 15 and 30 percent lower than the previous year; premium quotes for some large accounts were 30 to 40 percent less than a year ago, the brokers said. For the full survey results visit www.ciab.com. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 4. Some Watchdogs Lukewarm On Draft EU Insurance Rules Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:06pm By Huw Jones BRUSSELS, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Reluctance among watchdogs in the European Union to give up powers threatens to delay new rules aimed at making insurers less risky for investors. EU states and the European Parliament are discussing the measure known as Solvency II, which would give the home supervisor of a multinational like Allianz (ALVG.DE: ) in Germany, Generali (GASI.MI: ) in Italy or Aviva (AV.L: ) from Britain a lead role in regulating the whole group. That has raised fears among countries such as Poland, Spain and others that their regulators will be sidelined by those in states like Britain and Germany, where many multinational insurance firms are headquartered. "The Spanish and Polish are against lead group supervision, but even there there are degrees of differences. While the talking goes on, it's good news," said Peter Skinner, the British socialist who is steering the measure through the European Parliament. The insurance groups themselves would save time and money by having to report to fewer watchdogs. "It will be really a shame if because we cannot solve the issue of supervision that the package of Solvency II will be delayed," said Andrej Bajuk, finance minister for EU president Slovenia. The EU is also looking at how to improve the handling of crises at financial institutions with cross-border business. The issue of how a multinational in trouble in many countries is bailed out has yet to be settled. "Of course, consolidated supervision is necessary but won't avoid the question of who pays the bill. This is the question we will have to deal with, no matter what," Bajuk told the European Parliament. Bajuk said a separate updating of day-to-day financial market supervision in the EU should include an obligation for all national supervisors to cooperate with each other. (Reporting by Huw Jones, editing by Will Waterman) © Reuters 2008 All rights reserved Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 5. No recession expected this year: Congressional Budget Office Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:35pm By Richard Cowan and Donna Smith WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The slowing U.S. economy is unlikely to sink into an election-year recession and an economic rebound could begin as early as next year as housing and financial market turmoil fades, the Congressional Budget Office forecast on Wednesday. In the meantime, the U.S. budget deficit will grow to $219 billion this year, up from the $163 billion registered last year, according to a CBO report submitted to Congress. But that forecast by Congress' nonpartisan budget analyst does not include the cost of an economic stimulus measure that is quickly moving through Congress and could cost around $150 billion or more. The deficit projection for fiscal 2008, which ends September 30, also does not include more money Congress is likely to approve this year for the war in Iraq. While CBO noted an elevated risk of recession, its outlook was weighted more toward the United States working through its current economic problems and escaping a full-blown recession. "Although recent data suggest that the probability of a recession in 2008 has increased, CBO does not expect the slowdown in economic growth to be large enough to register as a recession," CBO said. "CBO expects the economy to rebound after 2008, as the negative effects of the turmoil in the housing and financial markets fade," the semi-annual budget and economic report said. Surveys of U.S. employers, CBO said, so far do not suggest they plan large future reductions in hiring. However, CBO noted that "such labor-market indicators could deteriorate suddenly." House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt, a South Carolina Democrat, said the CBO report offered "some sobering news" for the U.S. economy. "CBO shows the deficit for fiscal year 2008 is larger than the deficit for fiscal year 2007," Spratt noted, adding, "Under (Bush) administration policies, the $5.6 trillion (budget) surplus projected in 2001 has collapsed and been replaced by record deficits, which complicate our response to the current slowdown." That slowdown will bring rising unemployment this year, a presidential and congressional election year, CBO forecast. (Editing by Doina Chiacu) © Reuters 2008 All rights reserved Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article
6. AIG Unit To Buy Popular's Equity One Wed Jan 23, 2008 NEW YORK (Reuters) - Popular Inc (BPOP.O: ), the parent of Banco Popular, agreed to sell much of its U.S. consumer finance business Equity One to a unit of American International Group Inc (AIG.N: ) for about $1.5 billion, the companies said on Wednesday. The sale to American General Finance Inc includes about $1.47 billion of Equity One's mortgage and consumer loan portfolio, Popular spokesman Enrique Martel said. AIG may retain 24 of Marlton, New Jersey-based Equity One's 130 branches, and 250 of its 512 employees, Martel said. The other branches would be closed, he said. Equity One operates in 15 U.S. states. (Editing by Gerald E. McCormick and Dave Zimmerman) Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 7. Swiss Re Successfully Places First Ever Bond Linked to Central American Earthquakes New York, 23 January 2008 – Swiss Re has successfully structured and placed USD 85 million of securities covering windstorm events in the US as well as earthquakes in California and Central America. The bond is the first ever linked to Central American earthquakes. The initial offering of notes by GlobeCat Ltd. closed on Dec. 21, 2007. The risk modelling company EQECat is used as the calculation agent and for the initial risk analysis. As part of an ongoing program, Swiss Re’s Capital Markets structured and placed the securitisation and acted as the sole book runner for the initial $85 million offering. The first two tranches of the issuance cover losses due to catastrophic hurricanes and earthquakes in the United States. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 8. Merrill, Citi job cut restraint will be tested Tue Jan 22, 2008 NEW YORK (Reuters) - When Merrill Lynch & Co Inc (MER.N: ) Chief Executive John Thain said last week he did not expect to cut "thousands and thousands of people" after reporting nearly $10 billion in quarterly losses, some analysts and investors were surprised at his restraint. Citigroup Inc (C.N: ), which lost $9.83 billion in the fourth quarter, also surprised the market by cutting only 4,200 jobs in the quarter when four times that number was expected by some. In the coming weeks, though, Merrill's and Citigroup's resolve not to cut will be tested as fears of a U.S. recession rattle European and Asian stock markets. (Additional reporting by Mark McSherry and Joseph Giannone in New York) (Reporting by Tim McLaughlin) Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 9. INSURANCE NEWSLINK Articles Recent articles added to INSURANCE NEWSLINK, the worldwide, strategic concise intelligence database of over 30,000 articles including interviews, uniquely analysed by company, market, research, regulatory, and IT topics. Please click here for a content overview and a 15-day free review. THE TIME EFFECTIVE WAY TO STAY AHEAD
Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 10. NEW EXPERT COMMENTARY FROM IRMI.COM There are now over 1,000 risk management and insurance articles on IRMI.com. Below you'll find summaries of some recent additions with links to the articles. LIQUOR LIABILITY EXCLUSION IN THE CGL - Craig Stanovich explains why assuming that liability insurance will respond to claims due to the serving or furnishing of alcohol is a mistake. http://www.irmi.com/Expert/Articles/2008/Stanovich01.aspx SOFT COMMERCIAL LINES INSURANCE MARKET GAINS MOMENTUM - The fourth quarter RIMS Benchmark Survey™ shows sharply falling D&O liability average premiums leading the insurance market down. http://www.irmi.com/Expert/Articles/2008/Advisen01.aspx IMPORTANCE OF A STRONG FRAUD POLICY - Scott Langlinais advises firms to adopt, reiterate frequently, enforce, and reevaluate their codes of conduct. http://www.irmi.com/Expert/Articles/2008/Langlinais01.aspx REQUIRED INSURANCE TRAINING AND CONTINUING EDUCATION - With constant regulation changes, Barry Zalma says best practices mandate yearlong education. http://www.irmi.com/Expert/Articles/2008/Zalma01.aspx ENTERPRISE SAFETY MANAGEMENT: CREATING A FRAMEWORK - Peter Furst looks at the safety procedures, people and operational focus, and organizational systems necessary for an injury-free workplace. http://www.irmi.com/Expert/Articles/2008/Furst01.aspx MEDIATOR SELECTION IN PATENT INSURANCE CASES - Jeff Kichaven looks at the debate over whether it is necessary to choose an expert in science and technology to mediate a patent case. http://www.irmi.com/Expert/Articles/2008/Kichaven01.aspx Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article
4freequotes.com, now offers filtered leads on 6 lines of insurance to better meet your specific needs and a total of 15 lines! To learn more about the services offered and to reserve your area, please visit http://www.4freequotes.com/leads/?=ipn.
11. ISO to Provide Workers Compensation Data Reporting Services to SPARTA JERSEY CITY, N.J., January 22, 2008 — ISO has signed a licensing agreement to provide Workers Compensation Information Services (WCIS) to SPARTA Insurance Company, a provider of customized unbundled program solutions. Under the agreement, ISO will collect and record all workers compensation premium and loss information from SPARTA Insurance. ISO will develop and compile corresponding unit statistical, policy, and aggregate financial reports from the premium and loss information and submit that information to regulatory agencies on SPARTA’s behalf. “ISO’s WCIS provides customers with an efficient and economical means to manage resources so that they can focus on developing their business,” said Art Cadorine, vice president, Information Acquisition, Development, and Service at ISO. www.spartainsurance.com www.iso.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 12. IASA Announces New Seminar: "Matches Made in Heaven: Vendor-Insurer Alliances That Work" January 22, 2008 Charleston, SC - For insurance company CIO's and CEO's today it's all about integration. Things have to gel, systems must work harmoniously with one another, vendor "personalities" and work habits must match that of the insurer's team, and everything has to be accessible 24x7x365. Establishing and maintaining good relationships between vendors with systems running in the same insurance company environment is vitally important to ensuring that all systems work together. IASA is pleased to announce that these issues and many more will be discussed during an interactive seminar which will be presented on March 14, 2008 in Charleston, SC in conjunction with the IASA Spring Planning Meeting. Vendors in particular will have a chance to learn and hear from insurance company executives and industry professionals about their system needs and what they look for in an ideal vendor partner. Registration for this event is currently open and can be accessed via the IASA website at www.iasa.org. Cost per individual attendee is $145. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 13. The Retirement Income Industry Association’s 4th Annual Managing Retirement Income Conference Features Innovative Business Leaders, Financial Advisors, Academics Leading industry event to be held February 11-13, 2008 in Miami, FL Boston, MA (January 22, 2008) A complete picture of the retirement income landscape that spans product and industry silos can only be found at the 4th Annual Conference on Managing Retirement Income (MRI). Hosted by the Retirement Income Industry Association (RIIA), the industry’s leading event devoted to retirement income issues will be held from February 11 – 13, 2008 at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami, FL. www.iir-retirement.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 14. Securian’s Minnesota Life insures State of Florida employees St. Paul, MN, January 22, 2007 – Minnesota Life, the nation’s fifth largest group life insurer, now provides more than $14 billion of life insurance coverage for nearly 160,000 employees and retirees of the State of Florida. Florida is the eleventh state to select Minnesota Life to provide this important benefit to its employees. www.securian.com, www.lifebenefits.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 15. MetLife And Babson College Host 2008 E-Business Thought-Leadership Conference NEW YORK, January 23, 2008 – MetLife and Babson Executive Education held their third eBusiness Thought-Leadership Conference on January 16 and 17, in Wellesley, MA. The conference brought together leading speakers and a panel of distinguished experts to discuss new trends in technology that bring businesses closer to their customers, with a focus on Emerging Technology (Web 2.0), Data and Analytics, and Multi-Channel approaches to improve the customer experience. www.metlife.com www.babson.edu/bee Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 16. Swiss Re Opens Emissions Desk in London: Recent Growth in Carbon Emissions Markets Spurs New Operations New York, 23 January 2008 – Swiss Re, the world’s leading and most diversified global reinsurer, today announced it has moved its carbon emissions desk from New York to London and hired additional staff to accommodate recent growth in the carbon markets. “London has become the epicentre for carbon markets due to the presence of key players and proximity to many of the affected installations,” said Ben Lashkari, Head of Emissions at Swiss Re’s Environmental and Commodity Markets. “With the new desk we will be better positioned to serve our worldwide client base.” The desk’s activities include trading, originating and structuring bespoke capital market and insurance transactions for a broad range of stake holders in the rapidly expanding carbon markets. In 2006, Swiss Re was the first to issue an insurance product for managing Kyoto Protocol-related risks in carbon credit transactions. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 17. CNA Announces Middle Market Focus Classes CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CNA recently announced an important growth strategy for 2008: the development of Middle Market focus classes. Selected based on historic profitability, assessed opportunity and competitive advantages and differentiators, these classes will be introduced quarterly with supporting information on how they can be best approached. “During this soft market, we wanted CNA underwriters and agents to see evidence of our commitment to growing our Middle Market business,” said Tony de Padua, senior vice president of Commercial Segments, CNA. “These new focus classes have proven to be profitable to CNA and identify a sweet spot within our complete Middle Market appetite.” This quarter, the global insurer’s goal is to increase premium in the following classes: non-structural metal dealers/distributors, plumbing supplies and fixtures dealers/distributors; distributors of non-durable goods such as art, clothing, novelties and pet supplies; as well as distributors of food/drink products (excluding liquor liability). CNA underwriters can provide a complete list of eligible subclasses within these categories. www.cna.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 18. AIG Executive LiabilitySM Enhances Corporate Counsel Premier® Insurance Policy Protects Employed Lawyers Against Today’s New Exposures NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AIG Executive LiabilitySM, a division of the property-casualty insurance subsidiaries of American International Group, Inc. (AIG), today announced it has enhanced its Corporate Counsel Premier® (CCP) insurance policy to address evolving corporate counsel exposures. Corporate counsel faces the increasing risk of being named in securities litigation and unprecedented liability exposure from a variety of claimants. These liabilities may result from legal services provided on behalf of and to their employers, as well as pro bono and moonlighting services. Because the role of corporate counsel continues to change, AIG Executive Liability has significantly enhanced the CCP policy to protect the personal assets of corporate counsel and their staff. http://www.aigexecutiveliability.com/ Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 19. AAA Launches New High-Yield Savings Program ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Beginning January 1, 2008, AAA entered into a partnership with Discover Bank as the endorsed provider of high-yield savings products for members. Through AAA, Discover Bank will offer money market accounts, IRAs and certificates of deposit. AAA members from participating clubs will benefit from exclusive member-only rates with no minimum opening deposit required. www.AAA.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 20. INSURANCE NEWSCAST "Pictures Of The Day" -- Sponsored By:
View INSURANCE NEWSCAST "Sports Pictures Of The Day" View INSURANCE NEWSCAST "Entertainment Pictures Of The Day"
21. Hotchkiss Insurance Agency Endorsed by Texas Restaurant Association DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hotchkiss Insurance Agency, Inc. (HIA) announced today that they have received the endorsement of the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA), Austin, Texas for their restaurant insurance program. HIA, through its strategic alliances with selected A rated carriers, provides property and casualty, health insurance and employee benefits for TRA members and associate members. www.hiainc.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 22. Phyhealth Reacquires 92 Million Shares of Common Stock for Convertible Notes Totaling $1.031 Million MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Physicians Healthcare Management Group, Inc. (Phyhealth) (Pink Sheets: PHYH), a developer of health maintenance organizations (HMOs) in partnership with physicians, today announced that it has reacquired 92,734,000 free-trading shares of common stock from groups of investors for convertible notes totaling $1,031,177. This action, together with the unrelated retirement of 4,750,000 additional shares, will reduce the company’s total common shares outstanding by 38% to 156,302,528. Phyhealth may, at its sole option, elect to make payments of principal and interest under the convertible notes, in cash or restricted shares of the company’s common stock. http://www.phyhealth.com. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 23. TriZetto Launches Additional Consumer Web Solutions and Expands Existing Capabilities to Enhance Members’ Healthcare Experience NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The TriZetto Group Inc. (NASDAQ: TZIX) today announced the availability of the TriZetto Member Benefit Profile™ and TriZetto Treatment Cost Navigator™ to healthcare payers. In addition to these new solutions, TriZetto’s Benefit Cost Modeler is now available with significant enhancements. These three consumer-facing Web solutions enable plan members to make better healthcare decisions by providing real-time, personalized transparency capabilities for benefit decisions, treatment options and related costs, and health benefit usage. These new consumer tools expand TriZetto’s constituent solutions and help power Integrated Healthcare Management, the company’s unique approach to improving the coordination of benefits and care for healthcare consumers. By providing the most accurate benefit and cost information to consumers, payers can more effectively engage members, improve satisfaction and support intelligent decision-making. www.trizetto.com. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 24. Intercare Helps Bay Area Employers Learn How to Achieve Lower Health Care Costs While Improving Productivity Company Hosts Seminar Focused on Unique Approach to Health Benefits Planning that Delivers ROI of 5:1 SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Intercare Insurance Solutions, a leader in innovative benefits consulting and services, today announced it hosted a breakfast seminar where San Francisco Bay Area employers learned about a unique approach to health benefits planning that delivers an ROI on health care dollars of approximately 5:1. David Hom, chairman of the board for the Center for Health Value Innovation and former vice president of strategic initiatives for Pitney Bowes Inc., was the featured speaker at the invitation-only event. Hom’s presentation, “Total Value—Total Return”, focused on the most critical success factors of Pitney Bowes’ groundbreaking and innovative health benefits program. www.intercaresolutions.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 25. Mercer's New Pharmacy Benefit Design Improves Compliance Dx-Rx Pairing(TM) represents state-of-the-art pharmacy design, addresses barriers to patient compliance NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mercer's new Dx-Rx Pairing™ is an advanced pharmacy benefit design that encourages patients to follow pharmacy treatment plans proven most effective for certain high-cost chronic conditions by addressing common barriers to compliance. Dx-Rx Pairing is unique because it addresses three major flaws in current pharmacy design and delivery. First, the plan design minimizes financial barriers to compliance by reducing or eliminating member cost sharing for designated diagnosis/drug pairs. Second, proactive communication to prescribing physicians optimizes first-time prescribing. Third, members whose utilization patterns indicate reduced or minimal compliance are contacted to encourage them to adhere to the preferred therapy. These three levers address financial, clinical and personal barriers to compliance. www.mercer.com. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 26. UBS Global Asset Management and Genworth Financial to Launch Guaranteed Income for Life Benefit for 401(k) Plans CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--UBS Global Asset Management and Genworth Financial Inc. (NYSE:GNW) today announced their agreement to introduce a guaranteed income for life option for 401(k) participants that will be available with UBS’s recently announced target retirement funds and other investment options. The guaranteed income for life benefit is expected to be available by the end of the first quarter and is a result of a collaborative effort between UBS Global Asset Management and Genworth Financial, a Fortune 500 company with an extensive track record in retirement income solutions. www.ubs.com www.genworth.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 27. ARI insights Incorporates EnviroFleet Benchmarking Information MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., Jan. 23, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Automotive Resources International (ARI) today announces its incorporation of "green" monitoring and benchmarking capabilities through ARI insights(r), its Web-based fleet management and reporting system. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 28. Benefitfocus Expands Reach to Consumers With ConnectYourCare Partnership HUNT VALLEY, MARYLAND AND CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, (January 21, 2008)- Benefitfocus, a leading provider of software and services for the healthcare benefits market, announced today that they have partnered with ConnectYourCare, a leading provider of Consumer Directed Healthcare (CDH) account management solutions. This partnership aims to enhance Benefitfocus’ existing services by integrating ConnectYourCare’s top-ranked CDH platform to create a comprehensive product that supports employer demand for flexible account-based benefit solutions. www.ConnectYourCare.com www.benefitfocus.com. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 29. Prudential jumps on report Ping An plans stake Wed Jan 23, 2008 (Reuters) - Shares in British insurer Prudential (PRU.L: ) jumped over 10 percent on Wednesday after Ping An was reported to be close to taking a $13.8 billion stake in it amid mounting talk China's insurers are looking to invest in western peers. (Reporting by Steve Slater and Dominic Lau in London and Andrew Torchia in Shanghai; editing by Gavin Haycock/Elizabeth Fullerton) Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 30. ISE Lists Options on Four FocusShares ETFs New Listings Expand Complementary Suite of Products Based on ISE’s Unique Industry Indexes NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The International Securities Exchange (ISE) announced that it recently began trading options on the following FocusShares exchange traded funds (ETFs) that track the performance of four of ISE’s unique proprietary indexes: FocusShares ISE-CCM Homeland Security Index Fund (Ticker: MYP), FocusShares ISE SINdex Fund (Ticker: PUF), FocusShares ISE Homebuilders Index Fund (Ticker: SAW) and FocusShares ISE-Revere Wal-Mart Supplier Index Fund (Ticker: WSI). Timber Hill LLC serves as the Primary Market Maker for all four of these new options. www.ise.com/indexoptions Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 31. First Education Federal Credit Union Chooses Secure Identity Systems to Fight ID Theft BRENTWOOD, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Secure Identity Systems today announced it has been signed as the ID theft prevention service of choice for First Education Federal Credit Union (FEFCU), a not-for-profit financial cooperative serving Laramie County, Wyo. Effective immediately, FEFCU will provide Secure Identity Systems’ total identity theft protection program to employees as part of a competitive benefits package. The program will constantly monitor and detect potential ID theft, and ensure employees full recovery in the event of a breach. Secure Identity Systems will also provide free recovery and education services to FEFCU members who hold personal checking accounts, with the option to upgrade to the complete version, subsidized by the credit union. http://secureidentitysystems.com/. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 33. Insurance Auto Auctions Opens in Las Vegas Market WESTCHESTER, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc., a leader in automotive total loss and specialty salvage services in the United States, today announced the completion of the B&E Auto Auction (“B&E”) acquisition in Henderson, Nevada and will immediately begin servicing the entire Southern Nevada region which includes the greater Las Vegas area. www.iaai.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 34. MHA Insurance Company Offers Financial Incentive to Physician Policyholders Who Use Electronic Medical Records LANSING, Mich., Jan. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting Feb. 1, 2008, MHA Insurance Company will grant a premium credit of up to 5 percent for qualifying policyholders who utilize an Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system. A qualifying policyholder would include independent solo physicians and group physician practices. http://www.fincorsolutions.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 35. Swiss Re staff actively contributes to reducing CO2 emissions Zurich, 21 January 2008 – Swiss Re’s "COyou2 reduce and gain" programme, launched a year ago, offers its staff financial incentives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By 2011, Swiss Re aims to motivate at least 10% of its workforce to take part. In its first year, the programme already attracted 400 staff – 5% of all eligible employees worldwide – who have used the available funding for their own environmentally friendly investments. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 36. CarShield Launches the Next Generation of Automotive Safety, Convenience and Advanced Vehicle Monitoring SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CarShieldTM, an innovative provider of consumer-oriented automotive safety and information services, today announced its company launch. Leveraging proprietary vehicle analytic tools and wireless internet connectivity, the fully self-contained CarShield device plugs easily into a vehicle's standard diagnostic port to provide real-time information analysis and delivery to keep the vehicle owner truly in tune with the status of their vehicle and the safety of their family. www.mycarshield.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article
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