The conference report for H.R. 3103, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, provides for changes in the private heath insurance market. The bill guarantees the availability of private heath insurance coverage for certain groups and restricts the use of preexisting condition restrictions. Renewal of coverage will be guaranteed with limited exceptions. Although H.R. 3103 creates federal standards for insurers, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), and employers who self-insure, the bill permits substantial state flexibility for compliance. This report examines the major features of H.R. 3103 regarding heath insurance.

HOW DO YOU HANDLE CLIENT COMPLAINTS? by Bill Cates In this extended hard market, the chances of having a client complain to you have increased. Although I assume that you work hard to ...

Improved communication has turned us into less adroit communicators. With e-mail, voice-mail, and cell phones, getting the message to another party is so easy that we no longer worry about the content of the message. Poor communications skills translate into lost business. This article by John Graham discusses these consequences and offers guidelines for improving communications.

Profit and control have been the driving themes of the manufacturing industry over the past 150 years. However, as we get deeper into the knowledge economy, we find both of these concepts evolving. The issue of profitability is turning into the issue of sustainability. The issue of control is turning into the issue of empowerment.

MAKE MEETINGS WORK This seven-part recommended agenda should be followed at each meeting. Adaptation will be necessary by department, but the general content and structure should be similar for...

MAKE MEETINGS WORK This seven-part recommended agenda should be followed at each meeting. Adaptation will be necessary by department, but the general content and structure should be similar for all d...

MANAGING THE LITIGATION RISK THROUGH MEDIATION by Richard Collier Ambrose Bierce's Devil's Dictionary sardonically defines litigation as 'a machine that you go into as a pig and come out of a...

MEETINGS, MEETINGS, MEETINGS! by Grace Bauer 'Meetings, meetings, meetings! How do they expect me to get anything done if I have to attend meetings all the time? I can't believe how many ...

MERGERS: THE SIX KEY ISSUES by Larry Morrison, CMA, CLU, ChFC and Gary Jacobson, JD Before considering an agency merger, read this article. INTRODUCTION The pressure to ...

MYTHS BUSTED: AGENCY TRUST MONEY AND CAPITALIZATION by Chris Burand July 8, 2010 Insurance Journal: lsquo;FBI Raids Tennessee Payroll, Insurance Firm Sommet Group Jul...