Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.insur From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: insur Mon, Feb 17 1992 Date: Mon, 17 Feb 92 06:46:35 EST Message-ID: DECISIONLINE: Insurance USA TODAY Update Feb. 17, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network CALLERS JAM INSURANCE HOTLINE: More than 2,200 callers have alleged shifty activity - including a ring of chiropractors believed filing thousands in fraudulent claims - to a month-old insurance-fraud hot line. Investigators are following leads on cases around the country from the toll-free hot line, which began Jan. 7, says John Maes of the National Insurance Crime Bureau. BUREAU HAS 3 REGIONAL OFFICES: The National Insurance Crime Bureau was formed last month as part of an effort by insurers to eliminate what they contend is $17 billion a year in fraudulent claims. Once a call is received, it is turned over to one of the bureau's three regional offices - in Chicago, Atlanta and Glendora, Calif., near Los Angeles. The hot line, 1-800-835-6422, is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST. FIA UPGRADES PROGRAMS: The Federal Insurance Administration, which sponsors flood insurance, is trying to attract customers by fixing some of the program's flaws. Right now, a policy costing an average of $300 per year covers the structure and contents. But homeowners can't get coverage for such improvements as decks. The FIA wants to introduce riders for that and make the top coverage on a residence $250,000. INSURERS' NIGHTMARE NOT OVER: Californians cleaned up Sunday after last week's devastating storms. Some areas are recovering from nearly 15 inches of rainfall. The storms left at least eight people dead, five missing and caused $23 million in damage. Insurers are bracing for more storms. "Southern California is under the gun for another storm by midweek," said Scott Yuknis of Weather Services Corp. HAWAII INSURERS BLAST HIKES: The two principal health insurers in Hawaii say the state's proposed hospital rate increases are unreasonable. Proposed state increases would raise average daily costs at Hilo Hospital by 74%, at Kona Hospital by 72%, and at Maui Memorial Hospital by 69%. Kaiser Permanente and the Hawaii Medical Service Association blame the proposed hikes on inefficient management. IMPLANT PATIENTS WORRY: Women with silicone gel breast implants are concerned that they will have trouble getting health insurance. A representative for Dow Corning Corp., the largest manufacturer of the implants, said letters the company has received from implant recipients and doctors seem to corroborate the concern. IMPLANT PATIENT DENIED COVERAGE: A woman who applied for group insurance from Prudential Insurance Co. said she received a letter from the insurer informing her she had been denied coverage because she had silicone breast implants, says Dow Corning. Marcia Mott of Breast Implant Advice and Support group is very concerned that insurers will look upon breast implants as a pre-existing condition and deny coverage. AHA SUPPORTS HEALTH NETWORKS: The American Hospital Association has called for the creation of local health networks in which hospitals, doctors, nursing homes and others would provide patients with comprehensive, coordinated care for a yearly fee. The community-based networks would stress prevention of disease, not just treating the sick, and would assure that patients are treated in the most effective way, officials say. BCC LOOKS OUT FOR UNINSURED: Blue Cross of California has contracted with California officials to provide comprehensive health insurance coverage to low-income, uninsured pregnant women and their infants. The contract is with the Major Risk Medical Insurance Board's Access for Infant and Mothers Program. The arrangement encompasses a capitated physician provider network and a discounted hospital network. PROSTATE PROGNOSIS REVEALED: Twenty-five percent of men who reach age 85 will have prostate surgery. But Johns Hopkins University researcher Donald S. Coffey says not all the news is bad. He says there have been improvements in operations, better therapy and new approaches in chemotherapy. Prostate cancer kills 34,000. WORKPLACE INJURY UP: Rates of carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive stress injuries are on the rise, making up 56% of workplace injuries. A new computer from Dragon Systems Inc. may help alleviate the problem. The computer system, unveiled at a New York convention, recognizes human conversation more quickly than current systems. The system should be available in three to five years. HEALTH CARE SPENDING UP: Health care spending per capita in the USA is on the rise. In 1980, the cost was $1,059 per capita, according to the Health Care Financing Administration. That increased to: $1,207 in 1981; $1,348 in 1982; 1,474 in 1983; $1,587 in 1984; $1,700 in 1985; $1,820 in 1986; $1,970 in 1987; $2,202 in 1988; $2,387 in 1989; $2,620 in 1990; and $2,882 last year. Insurance Editor: Michele Coleman. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. 08:0002170000D0217 INTE-R D Israel-threatened-with-`war'.......... A D0217 This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM