| Tip: Consider health insurance for foreign travel
For those with health insurance policies limited to coverage in the United States, Matt Tassey, former chairman of the Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education, says your travel agent should be able to steer you to a company that offers short-term coverage. Among them is International Medical Group (imglobal .com), Tassey says. Many of these policies include coverage for common vacation problems such as trip cancellation or lost bags. For those on Medicare, several Medicare Supplement Plans will cover some medical costs incurred outside the United States. Medigap plans C-J, for example, will pay 80 percent of the costs of emergency care after a $250 deductible, according to AARP. But be aware, there is a $50,000 lifetime maximum. Seniors without Medigap coverage can get a short-term policy from a private insurer.
Gov. Charlie Crist's healthcare views at odds
But after the speech, Kottkamp and Crist said that KidCare shouldn't be held up as an example for how to provide insurance for all citizens. Kottkamp said children's health insurance is a ``different discussion'' than health insurance for all. Crist, asked to reconcile the apparent contradiction over his healthcare stance, would only say: ``Shouldn't we always be sympathetic to children?'' Crist has offered a private-sector alternative to the congressional Democrats' plan. Under the plan, called Cover Florida, people can buy insurance that costs less because it covers less. Democrats in Congress and the White House say a government-run plan is better because it would compete with private insurers and cap skyrocketing rates. One of Crist's Democratic rivals for the U.S.
Insurance on Jackson concerts excluded drugs
The insurance taken out on Michael Jackson for his London concert series does not cover cancellations if the pop star was found to have illegally possessed drugs or was involved in the "illicit taking of drugs," according to a copy of the policy provided to the Associated Press. It was not clear whether any medications Jackson was taking would negate a payout up to $17.5 million, which would ultimately benefit his estate. .
Suncorp's profit before tax seen down 18pct
AX), an Australian insurance and banking group, expects its full-year profit before tax to fall as much as 18 percent due to volatile financial markets and major insurance claims. Suncorp, Australia's second-biggest car and home insurer, expects full-year profit before tax and items related to its purchase of rival insurer Promina, completed in 2007, will be between A$790-$A810 million ($663-$680 million). That compares with A$967 million profit reported in last fiscal year. "While Suncorp expects its banking and general insurance businesses to report results broadly in line with guidance, volatile investment markets have reduced underlying profits in Suncorp Life and resulted in lower returns in the general insurance investment portfolios," Suncorp said in a statement on Friday.
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