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by Leila Morris
LIFE INSURANCE & ANNUITIES
• Major Trends Are Affecting the Life Insurance and Annuity Markets
• Consumers Don’t Understand Tax Advantaged Solutions
WEBINARS
• Fixed Annuity Webinar
• Webcast on Fixed Income Risks and Opportunities
IN CALIFORNIA
• Anthem Blue Cross to Lower Rate Increases on Individual Plans
• Carriers See Lower Profits Compared to Other Health Care Sectors
HEALTHCARE
• Most Plans Hike Premiums After the Initial Quote
• Health Insurers Navigate a Sea of Change
NEW PRODUCTS
• Indexed Universal Life
• Group Accident Plan
• Life Insurance Comparison Website
Major Trends Are Affecting the Life Insurance and Annuity Markets
Some major trends are changing the face of the life insurance and annuity markets, according to a study by Lincoln Financial. “With today’s economic climate and our society’s evolving demographics, we see continued interest in financial solutions that offer predictability — whether that’s in the form of a death benefit, a living benefit, asset protection, or the elimination of the use it or lose it risk of some products,” said Mark Konen, president of Lincoln Financial Group’s Insurance and Retirement Solutions business. Konen not only expects many unique solutions to emerge, but also expects a comeback of once-popular products and features. The following are some emerging trends:
- Non-Traditional Life Insurance Solutions: The low interest rate climate has made many forms of insurance too expensive for the average American. To bridge the gap, expect to see innovative life insurance alternatives that balance financial planning needs, flexible coverage, and cost.
- Variable Universal Life Insurance: As a life insurance product of choice in the 1990s, variable universal life (VUL) is primed for a comeback. By balancing death benefits with market-driven cash value potential, VUL products can help consumers protect loved ones while providing a potential source of supplemental income to keep pace with life’s changes. This combination of features can be very compelling in uncertain times.
- Life Combination Products: Life combination products continue to rise in popularity as alternatives to traditional stand-alone long-term care (LTC) solutions. Linked-benefit products with riders offer premiums that can be paid over several years. These products allow younger clients to accumulate assets while preparing for the possibility of a long-term care event in their pre-retirement years. As the combination market evolves, also expect increasing demand for life insurance solutions with accelerated benefit riders (ABR). Linked-benefit products with LTC riders are for clients who are concerned primarily with long-term care. ABRs also serve a growing demand from clients who mainly need death-benefit protection, but are concerned about how a permanent chronic or terminal illness could affect their financial well-being.
- Annuities: Americans face the strong possibility of outliving their retirement assets, which will drive the popularity of annuities with guaranteed living benefit (GLB) riders. GLBs provide a minimum guaranteed lifetime income stream that doesn’t require clients to give up control of their assets. Providers will put more emphasis on risk management strategies that reduce equity risk during volatile markets and create more consistent returns. These risk management strategies may increase growth in retirement income while enabling companies to continue providing compelling GLBs. Also expect to see a renewed emphasis on the tax-deferral aspect of annuities due to recent tax changes, particularly for the affluent. Because annuity assets accumulate tax-deferred, there are no tax consequences until clients take money from their contract, often at lower tax rates occurring during retirement, making this annuity option more attractive.
For more information, visit http://www.lincolnfinancial.com.
Poll Reveals Ripes Sales Opportunities for Advisors
The ripest sales opportunities for advisors are consumers who are 35 to 64 with incomes of $150,000 to $249,000, according to a recent poll by Nationwide. These consumers are more receptive to making portfolio adjustments. Fifty-two percent are willing to adjust their portfolios for tax-code changes, compared to just 36% of all survey respondents. Fifty percent of people in this income range want more education on annuities compared to 41% of the total survey population. The changing tax landscape will affect most affluent investors. But 60% of survey respondents say they won’t meet with a financial advisor to discuss taxes or are not sure whether they will talk to an advisor. “It’s up to advisors to counsel clients about potential opportunities even if they may not acknowledge a need to have this conversation. While some consumers may be very receptive to portfolio adjustments, others may need a little more education from their advisor,” said Eric Henderson, senior vice president of Life Insurance and Annuities for Nationwide Financial.
The survey also reveals the following:
- 16% of women and 31% of men expect tax code changes to reduce household income significantly.
- 5% of women and 13% of men have met with a financial advisor to talk about how taxes could affect their portfolio.
- 52% of women and 69% of men are concerned that tax code changes will hurt their portfolio.
Women may have less knowledge on these matters because fewer have a financial advisor relationship, but they may be more receptive to learning more about tax-advantaged products.
The following percentages of consumers say they completely understand the tax advantages of various products:
- Annuities: 17% of women and 27% of men.
- Life insurance: 23% of women and 34% of men.
- 401(k) plans: 38% of women and 52% of men.
Middle-aged survey respondents (ages 35 to 54) are less likely than older people to understand the tax advantages of annuities (56% vs. 73%), but are twice as likely to consider purchasing another tax-deferred product (31% vs. 14%). They are also more likely to want more education on annuities (51% vs. 37%), life insurance (23% vs. 14%), and 401(k) plans (30% vs. 17%). Eighty-four percent of people older than 55 are comfortable talking to their financial advisor about taxes, which suggests that they are at least open to having a conversation. Nationwide Financial introduced a tool kit to help advisors converse with clients about taxes. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.
Fixed Annuity Webinar
The National Assn. for Fixed Annuities (NAFA) is holding a Webinar to explain why fixed annuities are under fire, especially fixed indexed annuities. It will be held Thursday, February 28 at 8:30 a.m. PT. To register, visit https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/466957736.
Webcast on Fixed Income Risks and Opportunities
InvestmentNews is sponsoring a Webcast on fixed income opportunities on March 12 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. PT. It will address how advisers can position their clients for a rising rate environment. This webcast will look at fixed-income investing from a variety of perspectives, including individual bonds, ETFs and mutual funds. To register, visit http://e.ccialerts.com/a/tBRJS6RAVIbIpB8w$R-Ap2Ce6V5/in1.
Anthem Blue Cross to Lower Rate Increases on Individual Plans
Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones announced that Anthem Blue Cross will reduce its recently implemented premium increase in the individual market. The 17.93% average rate increase was effective February 1, but is being lowered to 13.87% on average for Anthem’s health insurance products sold to people and families.
The change affects 630,000 policyholders. Anthem Blue Cross will lower the premiums for these individual market products. Policyholders who switched to a lower cost product can switch back to their former product. Those who dropped coverage because of the rate increase can re-enroll without going through medical underwriting.
Even with this decrease, Anthem Blue Cross policyholders in the individual market will have experienced an average 22% rate increase over the previous 12 months.
Commissioner Jones authored legislation four years in a row while serving in the State Assembly and then sponsored AB 52 (Feuer) in the last legislative session, which would have given the insurance commissioner the authority to reject excessive rate increases and limited health insurance carriers to one rate increase per year.
Today, the Department of Insurance reviews proposed rate increases, but the health insurance carriers can implement rate increases without approval from the insurance commissioner. The bills authored by then Assembly Member Jones and Assembly Member Feuer passed the State Assembly, but failed in the State Senate. For more information, visit www.insurance.ca.gov.
Carriers See Lower Profits Compared to Other Health Care Sectors
California’s commercial managed care health plans had an average net profit margin of 3.6% in 2011, far less than the national averages for a host of medical-related industries, according to Patrick Johnston, president and CEO of the California Association of Health Plans (CAHP). Johnston said, “Some people and organizations have misled the public about insurers’ profits…The truth is California’s health plans have a very small average net profit margin, especially when compared to profits …for others in the health care industry.”
Yahoo Finance data reveals that, while other sectors of health care had net profit margins of up to 16.7%, commercial managed care health plans spent 89 cents out of every $1 in revenue on medical care for members in 2011.
Yahoo Finance reports a 16.7% net profit margin for major drug manufacturers, 14.1% for other drug manufacturers, 13.7% for medical appliances and equipment, 13.6% for medical instruments and supplies, and 11.9% for biotechnology. Other sectors, including generic drugs and home health care, had net profit margins from 5.7% to 9.4%. Nationally, health plans’ average net profit margin was just 4.5%, according to Yahoo Finance. The only health care sectors with lower profit margins than California’s commercial managed care health plans were drug delivery, diagnostic substances, long-term care facilities and medical laboratories and research.
The Affordable Care Act and state legislation place tight limits on profits. Health plans must spend 85 cents out of every premium dollar on health care (The medical loss ratio). From the CAHP the latest and most comprehensive public filings at the California Department of Managed Health Care, CAHP found that, on average, plans surpassed the medical-loss ratio requirements; they spent 89% of revenues on medical care in 2011 and had a 3.6% average net profit margin.
Johnston said, “Even if we put together all the net profits earned by the nation’s 10 largest health plans over the course of an entire year, we would only be able to cover the costs of three days of national medical expenditures. Health care costs will continue to climb as we move forward with the Affordable Care Act. Health plans remain steadfast in their commitment to effectively expand coverage and implement the Affordable Care Act. But we recognize that insurance taxes, more benefit requirements, limits on geography-based pricing and age rating restrictions will ultimately add to the cost of health care coverage.”
The net profit margin is the most accurate way to measure health plans’ profits, especially when state and federal law require them to spend 85% of their premiums on medical care, said Johnston. Some health plan critics have tried to confuse the public by citing health plans’ return on equity figures, rather than measuring net profit. The two numbers cannot be used interchangeably. The net profit margin measures the percentage of each premium dollar that is left after paying for medical care and other expenses. Return on equity measures how efficiently a company uses shareholder funds and may include other businesses and activities unrelated to the coverage offered by a health plan. CAHP reviewed data on all commercial plans in California, including nonprofit plans, which refer to revenue in excess of their expenses as net income or surplus. CAHP is a statewide trade association representing 39 full-service health plans. For more information, visit www.calhealthplans.org.
Most Plans Hike Premiums After the Initial Quote
HealthPocket finds that 80% of U.S. health insurance plans raise premiums above the original quoted price for a portion of their applicants. Plans increased premiums for an average of 18% of applicants. In some states, plans rarely increased premiums over the initial quote while plans in Pennsylvania plans raised premiums for 32% of applicants.
For-profit Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies most were most often increased premiums on applicants. Anthem Health Plans in Virginia, part of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, raised premiums for more than two thirds of applicants. The non-profit PacificSource Health Plans in Idaho was second highest within this ranking.
Beginning in 2014, under the Affordable Care Act, health status, sex, and pre-existing conditions will no longer be used to increase premiums above the quoted price. However, older applicants and smokers will pay higher premiums. However, these premium increases can be reviewed prior to applying, making comparison shopping more effective in 2014.
Plans in Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington did not increase premiums after the initial application. These states use a form of community-based premium rating practice that requires insurers to disregard health status in determining premiums. However, states with adjusted community ratings are allowed to vary insurance based on some demographic criteria such as age or sex. For more information, visit http://www.healthpocket.com.
Health Insurers Navigate a Sea of Change
A report by A.M. Best describes how health insurers are responding to health reform. Many have diversified over the past few years, offering products to multiple segments, including individual, employer groups, and government-sponsored (Medicare and Medicaid managed care). They are also providing more diversified membership, revenue, and earnings.
In 2012, several large acquisitions led to diversification by segment and/or geography. Several of the larger carriers expanded with more service oriented and unregulated supplemental business. These complementary products provide varied sources of earnings and cash flow, which can enhance operating results.
Health insurers’ margins compressed during 2012 along with a modest rise in utilization. However, utilization remains relatively lower than in the past, but there was some regional variation. Medical cost trends have increased slightly.The minimum medical loss ratio (MLR) requirements and rate reviews have pressured earnings, as did a shift to government-funded programs with its lower margins. Carriers also have faced increased expenses due to the implementation of ACA. With open enrollment for exchanges set to start later this year, health insurers can expect costs to escalate throughout the remainder of 2013.
A.M. Best says the majority of health carriers will be able to adapt and maintain profitability, although it could be with lower margins, increased regulation, and uncertainty over state exchanges in the near-to-medium term. The ACA could lead to more competitive pricing, making it harder for smaller, more specialized carriers to compete. In January, A.M. Best had a stable outlook on the health insurance industry as a whole, but a negative view of smaller, more specialized companies in the individual and small-group health segments. A.M. Best has concerns about profitability, given the minimum MLR requirements.
Health insurers have been busy implementing ACA provisions, such as the MLR requirements and rebates. They are also preparing for health insurance exchanges, developing accountable-care organizations, and adopting the consumer-focused shift in marketing.
Over the past few years, health insurers have faced increased regulatory scrutiny, particularly on rate increases. According to HHS data released in September 2012, 36% of all rate increases were approved; 26% were modified and implemented; 12% were withdrawn prior to a determination; and 26% were deemed unreasonable or rejected.
The health insurance sector will continue to change as the market moves toward exchanges and transforms from an employer-focused market (business-to-business) to an individual focused market (business-to-consumer).
Multi-state carriers are assessing in which states they will offer products via an exchange. Some state-based exchanges have started reviewing applications from carriers. With open enrollment set to start in the fourth quarter of 2013, decisions need to be made in the next few months.
The health insurance industry must be ready for the multitude of changes. Many people will start purchasing health insurance through the exchanges in 2014 including some who have employer-based coverage today. Also, people could move between Medicaid and exchange products with subsidies, based on their income level. Carriers are reformulating their plans to incorporate businesses and products, looking at creating joint venture partnerships with providers and others, and preparing for new competitors.
Over the past few years, many carriers have diversified by offering products to multiple segments, including individuals, employer groups, and government-sponsored programs. Several of the largest carriers have expanded into supplemental lines of business. By offering these complementary products, health insurers gain a wide-range of regulated and non-regulated cash flow.
Cooperation among providers and health plans has also increased over the past few years. A notable example is the formation of accountable-care organizations (ACOs), which have grown exponentially. These entities include various providers, such a hospital and physician groups, and health plan based structures, with varying payment models. The goal is to improve the quality and coordination of care at the lowest cost.
As the cost of care escalates, and the government looks for ways to control the deficit, Medicare beneficiaries may be a test population for ACOs. While provider groups develop ACOs, health plans are evaluating their roles and testing ways to participate. Some larger health insurers are acquiring or partnering with provider groups or forming ACOs on their own. In some more cases, plans such as Highmark, have affiliated with a hospital system. However, A.M. Best does not expect many other health insurers to follow suit.
The ACA allows for federal funding of Consumer Operated and Oriented Plans (COOPs) that offer affordable healthcare solutions to small businesses and individuals. ACA provided several billion dollars of low interest loans to these entities. However, the funding was stopped as part of the fiscal cliff agreement passed in January 2013.
Government Programs
Over the past few years, health insurers have expanded or entered the market for Medicare Advantage and Medicaid managed care. The number of Medicare-eligible people is expected to rise steadily over the next decade. Furthermore, these retirees are more familiar with managed care products and may be more likely to choose a Medicare Advantage product. Medicaid managed care membership has grown steadily over the past few years due to the economy faltering; states switching or expanding Medicaid managed care programs to control costs; and states establishing managed care programs for the dual eligible population. Many states will expand the Medicaid eligibility up to 133% of the federal poverty level in 2014. As a result, more health insurers are interested in growing their presence in this market.
Medicare Advantage
Enrollment for Medicare Advantage plans has been exceptional at 10% from 2011 to 2012, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Some of the top plans have consolidated. Market leaders include UnitedHealthcare with 19% of the market and Humana with 17%. PPO growth in this sector was 13.8% in 2012, and HMO-enrollment growth was 10.1%. However, enrollment in private fee-for- service plans (PFFS) declined 11.8% in 2012. Carriers are moving away from PFFS plans, mainly because of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, which requires them to provide provide a full or partial provider network in PFFS plan service areas.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Mergers and acquisitions accelerated significantly in 2012. The trend toward larger-scale acquisitions began in the fourth quarter of 2011 with announcements that Cigna Corp. was acquiring HealthSpring and UnitedHealth Group was acquiring XL Health. The majority of acquisitions involved government-sponsored business. Several larger transactions focused on increasing Medicaid managed care capabilities, such as WellPoint’s acquisition of Amerigroup. Also in 2012, Cigna’s acquired HealthSpring and Humana acquired Arcadian Management Services, which are multi-state Medicare Advantage companies.
The Medicaid expansion, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2014, is expected to generate substantial growth in the number of eligible people. In addition, due to budgetary pressure, more state governments are transitioning to Medicaid managed care. States are especially interested in cost-effective managed care solutions for the dual Medicaid and Medicare eligible population.
The trend toward acquisitions of Medicare Advantage companies and/or blocks of business continued in 2012. Large publicly traded companies are expanding their presence while smaller, local players are exiting because of a higher regulatory burden and potentially reduced margins. Managed-care companies have been building more comprehensive portfolios and expanding non-regulated revenue by acquiring healthcare related services, analytics, and technology companies. Aetna ’s acquisition of Coventry Health Care allows the company to expand into new regions and products. It also allows for revenue diversification of regulated and non-regulated business. UnitedHealth Group acquired Amil Participacoes S.A., Brazil’s largest health insurance company. The transaction is expected to offer growing revenue that is independent of U.S. economic conditions and regulatory changes.
A.M. Best expects mergers and acquisitions to continue, with emphasis on government-sponsored programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, non-regulated services, and possibly integrated care delivery capabilities. Some smaller commercial carriers may exit the market, which creates opportunities for individual and group membership acquisitions. However, large-scale transactions are likely to decline in the near term.
Financial Earnings
Health insurers’ earnings remained quite favorable in 2012, although margins declined due to the following factors:
• The MLR requirement.
• Rate-review.
• Medical trends.
• A shift in business mix to Medicare Advantage or Medicaid managed care.
Most carriers are pricing products to fulfill the minimum MLR requirement. Combined with the rate-review process on individual and small-group products, this has led to a lower rate increases. While rate increases have slowed, carriers don’t appear to be pricing irrationally to win business.
Many health insurers have increased their presence in government-funded programs due to a lack of growth in commercial membership. Employer groups have shifted from fully insured to self-funded; there have been big enrollment increases in Medicaid managed care plans; and more people are aging into Medicare, which affects enrollment in Medicare Advantage.
While government-funded business is profitable and has larger premiums on a per-member basis, it remains a lower-margin business. Medicare Advantage reimbursement rates from CMS will decline in some geographic locations as rates move closer to fee-for-service parity. Medicare Advantage plans can offset some of this effect with the star bonus program. Under this program, CMS makes additional payments to insurers that achieve certain quality measures.
While Medicare Advantage and Medicaid managed care are lower margin businesses, these lines are not subject to the MLR requirement. Also, premium revenues grew 9.8% for publicly traded companies compared to 1.4% for the Blue Cross/Blue Shield group. Seven percent of publicly traded companies experienced double-digit premium increases; six saw increases of 20% or more. Cigna acquired a large Medicare Advantage plan in 2012, which drove the up premiums. Margins are expected to narrow in 2013. Health insurers are pricing products closer to the minimum MLR. Meanwhile, utilization is expected to continue increasing, but not significantly.
Many carriers’ need innovation and diversification to gain market share in the employee-benefit marketplace. Technological advancements like smart phone applications and web capabilities are becoming a differentiating factor that could generate sales.
Shift to Voluntary Benefits
Employee benefit carriers that have not sold voluntary coverage are cautiously entering the market. For example, the Principal recently added voluntary critical illness to its suite of products. This reflects the type of adjustments that are occurring throughout the industry. Employees want customizable benefits, flexibility in the amount of coverage, duration of coverage, and distribution of premium payments. The most popular coverage types are accident and critical illness. But hospital indemnity, limited medical benefit plans, and other similar supplemental medical plans are becoming increasingly successful due to gaps in major medical coverage and the fact that more consumers have high-deductible plans. Carriers have high expectations for near-term growth and success in the voluntary/worksite market. Offering a bundled package that includes integrated disability, absence management and wellness program is another form of market differentiation.
Disability Insurance
Many larger disability carriers have some wellness or absence management options available; smaller carriers may look to implement these as well, but would likely do so through outsourcing or partnering with other companies.The widespread increase in disability claims in early 2012 has moderated, with a few carriers still experiencing some volatility in certain pockets of business. To offset this, carriers are offering premiums by industry segment and geographic location. An aging workforce is not helping disability claims incidence. Disability insurers continue to lower discount rates to reflect the interest rate environment and have strengthened reserves. Many carriers have seen a significant shift in sales from true group coverage to voluntary and have offered more options and value.
Long-Term Care Insurance
The long-term care market is highly concentrated. The top 10 insurers account for about 90% of business. The largest writers of individual long-term care policies include Genworth, John Hancock, Mass Mutual, Mutual of Omaha, New York Life, and Northwestern Mutual. In a five-year period, 10 of the top 20 carriers have stopped selling long-term care policies. Prudential stopped offering individual long-term care policies last year, but will continue sales through employers and affinity groups.
Unum has discontinued long-term care sales while Guardian and MetLife placed their businesses in run-off. Many other companies, especially smaller to medium-sized carriers, struggle with managing older blocks of business or building sales. Several have limited participation in the long-term care market, have implemented substantial rate increases, or have exited this line.
Small to medium-sized carriers that have discontinued individual long-term care products over the past 24 months include CUNA Mutual, American Fidelity, Assurity Life, and the Wisconsin Education Association.
Given the aging U.S. population, there is a demand for affordable long-term care products. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 opened the door for hybrid products featuring long-term care riders. Numerous life/long-term care combinations have entered the market in the past few years, and development continues at a steady pace. Products with less generous benefits, shorter benefit periods, and life and annuity components are being offered.
Recently, John Hancock is offering a unique crediting provision that makes protection more affordable. The product features an alternative to the traditional inflation option as well as automatic increases in benefit and voluntary buy-up options. Benefits grow through an automatic crediting formula tied to a segment of John Hancock’s investment earnings, and there is no corresponding increase in premiums.
LIMRA has reported an increase in sales of individual long-term care policies through the first three quarters of 2012. A.M. Best sees the potential for sales to grow further since only 7% of eligible Americans have individual long-term care policies. Insurers are challenged by low interest rates, persistency, morbidity and the increasing cost of care.
In several cases state regulators have been slow or unwilling to approve rate increases. Also, with the extended low interest rate environment, long-term care writers are seeing low investment returns and more reinvestment risk. Also, policyholders are retaining coverage into later years when more claims are likely. Also, the costs of nursing home facilities and home health care continue to rise. These risks and challenges have caused many long-term care insurers to apply for significant rate increases, and A.M. Best expects this trend to continue.
Medicare Supplements
As Medicare supplement membership continues to grow, the environment remains very competitive. There has been more competition from larger, more aggressive national carriers in recent years, which has made it more challenging for small to medium-sized companies.
In recent years, carriers that have been more aggressive in pricing have sought larger than normal rate increases from regulators. A.M. Best says that more state regulators may be hesitant to allow large increases that affect senior citizens on fixed or limited incomes. This will pressure some carriers’ financial results. Over the past few years, several companies have entered or re-entered the Medicare supplement market. In 2011, Aetna acquired business from Genworth. In August 2012, Cigna acquired business from American Financial Group. In February, Cigna will start selling Medicare supplement plans underwritten by American Retirement Life. These transactions allow Aetna and Cigna to offer a range of products to the senior market, including Medicare supplement and Medicare Advantage.
Dental Benefits
Dental carriers have focused on the group/employer market. The majority of business has been in the employer segment. However, this is shifting with growth in voluntary dental products. Dental insurers have been expanding into the individual market.
Marketing to individuals will be important in 2014. It has yet to be determined whether dental carriers will be able to offer individual dental products through the exchanges. However, the definition of “essential health benefits” includes pediatric dental coverage. Dental insurers have been working with the states for the ability to offer pediatric coverage on the exchanges or to partner with health insurers on the exchange to provide these benefits. Dental insurers are working with the states and the federal government on exchange products. Financially, the dental insurance industry demonstrates strong operating capacity, with very favorable net premium leverage ratios of less than three times capital. The dental industry is capable of supporting a large influx of members. However, the availability of providers may fall significantly short in certain geographical areas.
Ratings Outlook
A.M. Best maintains a negative rating outlook for smaller, more specialized companies in the individual and small-group health segments. A.M. Best has concerns about profitability, given the minimum medical loss-ratio requirements and higher administrative expenses. This segment could be more exposed to competitive pricing, which would make it harder for the less diversified carriers to compete. As a result, small, specialized carriers could be affected more greatly by the loss of members in 2014, and may not have the scale to participate in the exchanges. These smaller, specialty companies could see more negative rating actions. However, A.M. Best says that the majority of health insurance carriers are well positioned for the challenges that lie ahead. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.
Indexed Universal Life
John Hancock has launched Protection Indexed UL (IUL). While most Indexed UL products focus on cash-value accumulation, this product combines the upside potential of Indexed UL with some of the lowest premiums in the industry. The company says that Protection IUL provides more sales opportunities for advisors and more IUL choices for consumers. For more information, visit http://www.johnhancock.com
Group Accident Plan
Colonial Life introduced a group accident insurance plan to employers with 10 or more eligible employees. Optional coverage includes 24 health screening tests and benefits if employees are hospitalized. Along with other features, the plan is health savings account-complaint, multi-state friendly, and portable. For more information, call 803-678-6407 or visit www.ColonialLife.com.
Life Insurance Comparison Website
A new website (http://www.lifeinsuranceselect.net) offers side-by-side comparisons of the most reputable life insurance companies in a given area. The company has access to a database of life insurance companies throughout the country and uses software that can aggregate comparison results in seconds.
