But now, residents from a new generation — healthier and intent on maintaining their lifestyles — are pushing for change. They are demanding spacious rooms, first-class health clubs, choices of restaurants, even wine at dinner — not permitted at some communities founded by religious organizations.

from: Philadelphia Enquirer

Out of 8 million enrollees in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, only about 5 percent typically switch plans during the annual open season, according to Walton Francis of the Consumer’s Checkbook Guide to Health Plans for Federal Employees and Annuitants.

from: GovExec.com

The “consumer-driven” and “high-deductible” plans offer many employees substantial savings over the traditional insurance plans, said policy analyst Walton Francis, who tracks premium and benefit changes in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

from: Washington Post

No matter how well you plan your retirement, the catastrophic expense of long-term care could ruin it all. Insurance looks like the obvious solution. Turns out it’s anything but.

from: CNNMoney

As flu season approaches, experts recommend a simple method for staying disease-free.

from: Chattanooga Times/Free Press

Looking for another way to benefit from tax breaks on saving for retirement? Then take a gander at the new, improved health savings account.

from: Kiplinger:

The average Massachusetts resident without health insurance will soon be able to obtain coverage for $175 per month through the state’s Connector, a health insurance exchange for individuals and small businesses.[1] Because the Connector can accept pre-tax defined contributions, many will secure even lower premiums. A middle-class individual, for example, whose employer designates the Connector as its employer plan, could purchase that same health coverage for just $109 per month.

from: Heritage.org

Veterinary Pet Insurance, or VPI, the oldest and largest pet health insurance company in the United States. VPI writes an estimated 80 percent of the pet health insurance policies in this country.

from: Post Gazette

One way to avoid having to choose between your pet and your pocketbook is pet insurance. The pet insurance market has grown 26% annually since 2001, although the percentage of Americans with policies remains small. Of the 163 million cats and dogs in the United States today, only 3% of dogs and 1% of cats are insured.

from: Parade Magazine

Because unused balances in the HSAs can be rolled over from year to year, some financial advisers are suggesting that the accounts can be a way for families to accumulate money to be used to cover health care costs in retirement, including Medicare deductibles and long-term care insurance.

from: Chicago Sun-Times