Monday, 12 February 2007

Online Personal Health Records For Florida AvMed Members

Florida-based health plan AvMed has developed an online health records system that lets its members create their own electronic health records. AvMed’s system gives members personally control their health records, which can be shared with doctors, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers.

With AvMed’s iHealth system, members will be able to instantly send their medical history to physicians — cutting down on paperwork and administrative costs. AvMEd members will also be able to get educational medical information to make it easier to manage their individual health needs.

“The new iHealth personal health record is another step in empowering AvMed’s members and putting them in the driver’s seat when it comes to the healthcare needs of themselves and their families,” said AvMed President and CEO Doug Cueny.

AvMed hopes that creating these electronic personal health records will give people more control over their healthcare decisions — and in the long run, save money on care.

“The new iHealth personal health record is another step in empowering AvMed’s members and putting them in the driver’s seat when it comes to the healthcare needs of themselves and their families,” added Cueny.

AvMed is the largest non-profit health plan in Florida. They specialize in managed care insurance for small and large business.

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Posted by Insurance Quote at 5:25 PM in Health Insurance

Mississippi Bills To Level Off Insurance Rates

The Mississippi House and Senate each passed new legislation to level off insurance rates. They will also attempt to stimulate the redevelopment of the devastated Gulf coast.

The bills would replenish the state’s “wind pool”, which offers coverage in areas where most insurance companies will not write policies.

As part of the new legislation, the wind pool will be funded by a premium increase of around $14 per year for all Mississippi residents. But the increases are expected to have positive long-term effects on insurance rates.

“This bill should level off insurance rates, keep [insurance] companies in Mississippi and make insurance more affordable statewide,” said Senator Dean Kirby.

The two bills from the House and Senate are almost identical — but have one major difference. The Senate version calls for the board overseeing the wind pool to include insurance agents or other insurance industry representatives as members — the House version doesn’t.

The bills will likely go to conference for more debate before the governor reviews them. But Legislators agree that it’s necessary to take action.

“If we didn’t pass some type of legislation, residents would have experienced very high increases in their premiums,” said Senator Merle Flowers. “Hurricane Katrina had a devastating impact on the state of Mississippi regardless of where in the state you’re from. Everything was affected, from insurance to building costs.”

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Posted by Insurance Quote at 10:00 AM in Homeowners Insurance