Category Archives: Business

Press Releases from the Business World. Announcements, Product releases, Appointments.

Infinger Insurance Earns Diamond Achiever Award in New Hampshire


Infinger Insurance has been named New Hampshire’s 2020 Diamond Achiever by Patriot Insurance Company. The annual award is presented to the highest performing agency based on set criteria including length of appointment, profitability, growth, and policy retention. Each year, the top Patriot Insurance Company agencies receive the “Diamond Achiever” award in recognition of their outstanding accomplishment.

Patriot Insurance Company President and CEO, Lincoln Merrill Jr. explains, “We are proud to present Infinger Insurance with our Diamond Achiever award. Through their hard work and commitment to providing superior services, support and products, it is well deserved.”

This recognition exemplifies their commitment to providing quality, professional insurance products and services to our mutual clients.

The results achieved by the team at Infinger Insurance helped the agency become one of the most successful among Patriot Insurance Company’s more than 115 independent agencies.

“We are honored to receive this award from Patriot Insurance for the second year in a row. They are tremendous partner to our agency,” said Nate Infinger, vice president Infinger Insurance. “We are only able to continue to achieve these results through the hard work and dedication of our employees, the support of Patriot Insurance Company, and the loyalty of our mutual customers throughout Northern New England.”

Infinger Insurance has been licensed with Patriot Insurance Company since 2002 is recognized as one of the carrier’s Preferred independent insurance agency partners.

About Patriot Insurance

Patriot Insurance has been providing peace of mind for families and businesses in New England for over 50 years. Headquartered in Yarmouth, Maine, we are a regional carrier offering business, home, auto, life, and surety products backed by local, autonomous claims, loss control, and underwriting teams. We work exclusively with independent agents who can give our customers the personal guidance and service they deserve. Since 2007, we have partnered with Frankenmuth Insurance, a longstanding company founded in Michigan in 1868. Patriot Insurance is financially sound, with an A.M. Best rating of “A” (Excellent).

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Kinney Pike Insurance Earns Diamond Achiever Award in Vermont


Kinney Pike Insurance has been named Vermont’s 2020 Diamond Achiever by Patriot Insurance Company. The annual award is presented to the highest performing agency based on set criteria including length of appointment, profitability, growth, and policy retention. Each year, the top Patriot Insurance Company agencies receive the “Diamond Achiever” award in recognition of their outstanding accomplishment.

Patriot Insurance Company President and CEO, Lincoln Merrill Jr. explains, “We are proud to present Kinney Pike Insurance with our Diamond Achiever award. Through their hard work and commitment to providing superior services, support and products, it is well deserved.”

This recognition exemplifies their commitment to providing quality, professional insurance products and services to our mutual clients.

The results achieved by the team at Kinney Pike Insurance helped the agency become one of the most successful among Patriot Insurance Company’s more than 115 independent agencies.

“We strive to work with carriers who, like us, uphold the highest of customer service standards. Patriot Insurance Company has long been one of our key partners, and together, we provide excellent insurance products and superior service. Being recognized for our commitment to our clients is especially rewarding.” Says Justin Barwood, one of the Kinney Pike Insurance principals.

Kinney Pike Insurance has been working with Patriot Insurance Company since 2005 and is honored to receive Patriot Insurance’s Diamond Achiever award.

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About Patriot Insurance

Patriot Insurance has been providing peace of mind for families and businesses in New England for over 50 years. Headquartered in Yarmouth, Maine, we are a regional carrier offering business, home, auto, life, and surety products backed by local, autonomous claims, loss control, and underwriting teams.

We work exclusively with independent agents who can give our customers the personal guidance and service they deserve. Since 2007, we have partnered with Frankenmuth Insurance, a longstanding company founded in Michigan in 1868. Patriot Insurance is financially sound, with an A.M. Best rating of “A” (Excellent).

About Kinney Pike Insurance

Kinney Pike Insurance, founded in 1904, is one of the largest independent insurance agencies in Northern New England with six locations: Rutland, White River Junction, Williston, Randolph, St. Johnsbury, and Swanton. Kinney Pike is a full-service agency specializing in commercial insurance, personal insurance, and employee benefits. Kinney Pike holds the distinction of being Vermont’s only Assurex Global Partner, a prestigious international consortium of top brokers worldwide.

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Former Dallas Postal Credit Union (Neighborhood Credit Union) President and CEO Dies at 92


Calvin was a pioneer in the credit union industry and led Dallas Postal Credit Union to many major milestones.

On April 9, 2021, former CEO of Dallas Postal Credit Union, Calvin C. Phillips, died at 92. He led the Texas credit union for 30 years, from 1958 to 1988.

Mr. Phillips first began his credit union career in 1948 as a part-time employee at Cotton Belt Credit Union. In the same year, he moved to Dallas Postal Credit Union (renamed Neighborhood Credit Union in 2001). After working at the credit union for 10 years, Phillips was elected as President and CEO in 1958.

In the early 1970s, Phillips was elected to the Texas Credit Union League Board of Directors, where he served for 18 years. He was among the League Board of Officers who negotiated the purchase of Town North National Bank on behalf of Texas credit unions. He was selected to serve as League chairman in 1976 and 1977 and also served on the Credit Union National Board for 12 years. In 1979, Governor Bill Clements appointed Phillips to the Texas Credit Union Commission, where he served as chairman from 1983 to 1985.

Phillips retired from his position as president and CEO of Dallas Postal Credit Union in 1988. In his 30 years as leader of the credit union, membership grew from a little over 2,000 members to over 18,000. After retirement, Phillips remained an active member of the Neighborhood Credit Union Board of Directors until 2013.

“Calvin was a pioneer in the credit union industry and led Dallas Postal Credit Union to many major milestones,” says Chet Kimmell, President and CEO of Neighborhood Credit Union. “Personally, he was a friend and mentor to me and will be greatly missed.”

About Neighborhood Credit Union: As an active part of the community for 91 years, Neighborhood Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial organization serving the state of Texas with branch locations in Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Ellis counties, as well as the city of Arlington. With assets topping $1 billion, Neighborhood Credit Union has a continuously growing membership of 56,000. For more information, call (214) 748-9393 or visit myncu.com.

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How Defensive Driving Courses Can Help Drivers Save Money On Car Insurance


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“Graduating a defensive driving can lower your insurance rates. Besides that, you will learn new safe driving techniques and you will become a better driver”, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company.

Drivers attending defensive driving courses will not only get educated about traffic hazards and defensive driving techniques, but they will also get an insurance discount from their insurers. Of course, there are other reasons for attending defensive driving courses.

The main reasons for taking a defensive driving course are the following:


  • Lower insurance rates. Graduating a defensive driving course can decrease the price of car insurance by as much as 10%. Driving courses are done in a classroom, or they can be streamed online, so anyone can have time to attend them. Some states allow one-hour courses, while others require drivers to complete longer courses to qualify for savings. No matter how much time the courses are taking to complete, they are well worth it, because drivers can save even hundreds of dollars.
  • Get rid of points and fines. Policyholders can remove points or dismiss traffic tickets if they are completing a defensive driving course. Too many points can lead to a license suspension. If that happens, the policyholder will have to spend money on cabs, buses, or other means of transportation. Graduating a defensive course is an effective way of keeping the driving record clean.
  • Learn safe driving techniques. Road hazards are always present, no matter where the policyholder is driving. Drivers that attend defensive driving courses will learn safe driving techniques that will help them to proactively anticipate and effectively react to a variety of hazards. Also, drivers will learn how to control their emotional states while driving.
  • Become a better driver. It doesn’t matter if the policyholder is a beginner or an experienced driver, there is always room for improving the driving techniques and knowledge. No one can control what happens around them, but they can prepare themselves in order to overcome the hazards while driving,

For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit http://compare-autoinsurance.org.

Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc.

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Sober Grid, World’s Leading Online Sober Community, Partners With St. Louis Construction Laborers’ Welfare Fund To Provide Healthcare Services To Workers


Beau Mann, CEO and Founder of Sober Grid, the world’s leading online sober community, today announced an official partnership with the Greater St. Louis Construction Laborers’ Welfare Fund to provide online treatment services for their members, contractors, and family members.

The partnership is a significant step forward showing a Union Member Health and Welfare Fund’s dedication to taking addiction health issues seriously. Sober Grid will provide much needed resources along with state-of-the-art technology through its partnership with the fund not only for their 4,000 members, but also to their 600 contractors and all 11,000 of the members’ covered relatives. Due to the current pandemic, many communities have seen an increase number of issues including those struggling with addiction and relapse. In order to combat this problem, Sober Grid is offering a digitally enhanced peer coaching program and 24/7 phone lifeline that eliminates the barriers to access for the nearly 16,000 available participants.

“After more than a year of unparalleled changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact we have seen it have on communities across the U.S. and the world, it is more important than ever to do all that we can to help those in need as the continued isolation shows its effect on addiction and relapse.” Mann said. “The sober community thrives on having a safe and supportive environment and through our advanced technology we are allowing our users to connect with their community for the support they need during this difficult time.”

As the largest social network for sobriety in the world, Sober Grid offers a positive environment and helps maintain their users’ sobriety.

“Our partnership with Sober Grid is an integral part of our long-term dedication to our member’s health care,” says Diana Marburger, Welfare Director of the Greater St. Louis Construction Laborers’ Welfare Fund. “More importantly, connecting with our community right here in St. Louis to combat addiction issues is important to our organization. We are committed to working together to benefit our members and our community that we are privileged to serve.”

In addition to Sober Grid’s new partnership with the Greater St. Louis Construction Laborers’ Welfare Fund, it recently launched a new podcast called Sober Up! A Sobriety Podcast, bringing forth the voices of people who have achieved recovery and can inspire other people’s journey. The podcast is not only for those suffering or recovering from addiction, but it is also for those who are supporting a friend or loved one to help them learn how to better support them. Sober Grid is also currently hosting multiple recovery meetings and support groups. It has also adapted 12 step meetings, sober parenting support, meditation and fellowship groups on weekends where members can hang out and play games virtually.

About Sober Grid

Sober Grid is a free iOS/Android app that connects you with other people in or seeking recovery from Substance Use Disorders. Members are instantly connected to a global community in their neighborhoods and around the globe. Members can build strong support networks and inspire others. Sober Grid, Founded by CEO Beau Mann, started because he was looking for a supportive community that could be accessed anytime anywhere. Today it is a platform full of evidence-based tools to help anyone get instant addiction support. Sober Grid now offers affordable 24/7 Certified Peer Coaches to assist individuals in their recovery. Its peer coaches are trained and certified to help you along your recovery journey. For more information, visit http://www.sobergrid.com

About the Greater St. Louis Construction Laborers’ Welfare Fund

The Greater St. Louis Construction Laborers’ Welfare Fund (The Fund) provides the highest-quality benefit coverage for our members and their families. Included in our benefit package is access to our Addiction Program which is made up of three area addiction treatment specialists. The Fund is dedicated to providing every opportunity for recovery to our members and their dependents who are affected by addiction. We are pleased to offer the new addition of Sober Grid to our benefit package. We feel that this new addition will add another very beneficial avenue towards fighting addiction.

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Fiduciary Benchmarks rebrands as Fiduciary Decisions and optimizes organizational alignment


Fiduciary Decisions

Fiduciary Decisions

Today, we start a new journey as Fiduciary Decisions. This is not just a rebranding but a recognition that we have leveraged our core competency of building decision support systems to help service providers and plan sponsors better manage their retirement plans. Tom Kmak CEO of Fiduciary Decisions

Fiduciary Benchmarks (FBi) announced today that it is rebranding itself as Fiduciary Decisions (FDI) in recognition of the expansion and broadening of its mission and service offering.

“We started our journey in 2008 as Fiduciary Benchmarks and over the years we became the retirement plan industry’s most trusted partner for benchmarking retirement plans. We did this using our patented method which helps fiduciaries understand not only what they are paying, but more importantly, what they are receiving from their service providers in terms of Quality, Service, Value, and Extra Credit” stated, Tom Kmak CEO of Fiduciary Decisions.

“Today, we start a new journey as Fiduciary Decisions. This is not just a rebranding but a recognition that we have leveraged our core competency of building decision support systems to help service providers and plan sponsors better manage their retirement plans. Examples of the services we offer that are beyond benchmarking include:


  • Our Business Management Dashboard – a next generation practice management solution that enables retirement advisors to service and sell plans better than ever before
  • IRA Best Interest Determination – a service designed to help with the SEC Best Interest Rule and the recently released DOL PTE on Advice
  • Retirement Outcomes Evaluator – an interactive plan design service that allows you to make changes to a plan and see the Marginal Benefits and Marginal Costs of those changes in seconds” said, Kmak.

In addition, the FDI organization is being realigned to better serve both existing and new clients through a reengineered focus on product development, marketing & sales, client success, and research. As such, the following management changes were announced:

  • Matt Golda is now Chief Operating Officer focusing on operations, client success and technology
  • Craig Rosenthal is now Head of Strategy and Chief Marketing Officer focusing on partnerships, product development and marketing
  • Mike Narkoff is now Chief Revenue Officer focusing on enterprise sales across all services and channels
  • Kathleen Connelly is now Chief Research Officer focused on leveraging FDI’s industry leading database to benefit our clients and their clients
  • Ivana Polonijo is now Chief Client Officer focusing on ensuring that clients using FDI services in the most efficient manner to produce successful outcomes for themselves and their clients
  • Brad Williams is now Chief Technology Officer focusing on the buildout and ongoing maintenance of all of FDI’s technology infrastructure

“In addition, we have invested heavily in people – from executives to product managers to those serving clients. These investments have been made with the full intention of serving you better than we ever have before. In fact, we will strive to be your “first call” when it comes to high-quality technology, tools and research related to retirement.” stated Kmak.

About Fiduciary Decisions: Fiduciary Decisions is the industry leader for independent, comprehensive and actionable value and fee benchmarking services for the defined contribution space. FDI also offers the Business Management Dashboard – a next generation practice management platform for Broker/Dealers and retirement plan advisors enabling them to manage their business more efficiently and effectively than ever before. In addition, FDI offers an IRA Rollover Best Interest Determination service. Founded in 2008, the company now works with many of the industry’s largest and most respected Recordkeepers, Broker/Dealers, Advisor/Consultants and Plan Sponsors.

Learn more at http://www.fiduciarydecisions.com

For More Information Contact:

Craig Rosenthal

Head of Strategy and Chief Marketing Officer

203-405-1853

craig.rosenthal@fiduciarydecisions.com

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Norton Agency Insurance Earns Diamond Achiever Award in Georgia from Frankenmuth Insurance


Norton Agency Insurance has been named Georgia’s 2020 Diamond Achiever by Frankenmuth Insurance. The annual award is presented to the highest performing agency based on set criteria including length of appointment, profitability, growth, and policy retention. Each year, the top Frankenmuth agencies receive the “Diamond Achiever” award in recognition of their outstanding accomplishment.

“We truly value our partnership with Norton Agency Insurance and are pleased to present their management team and staff with our Diamond Achiever award,” said Frankenmuth Insurance President and COO Fred Edmond. “This recognition exemplifies their commitment to providing quality, professional insurance products and services to our mutual clients.”

The results achieved by the team at Norton Agency Insurance helped the agency become one of the most successful among Frankenmuth Insurance’s more than 700 independent agencies.

“Our relationship with Frankenmuth Insurance is truly a partnership. Frankenmuth Insurance’s objective to work with us and our clients to provide first class professional solutions has allowed us to not only grow our agency but to be better advocates for our clients, said Bob Norton, CEO of Norton Agency Insurance. “This achievement could not be possible without our joint efforts.”

Norton Agency Insurance has been licensed with Frankenmuth Insurance since 2010 and is recognized as one of the carrier’s Premier independent insurance agency partners.

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About Frankenmuth Insurance

Insurance exists to provide peace of mind, and Frankenmuth Insurance has been protecting individuals, families and businesses for more than 150 years. We truly care about the people we serve and strive to be your insurer of choice. We partner exclusively with nearly 700 independent agents to customize business, home, auto, and life insurance policies and surety bonds. Headquartered in Frankenmuth, Michigan, and doing business in 15 states, Frankenmuth Insurance is financially sound, with $1.8 billion in assets. The company has an A.M. Best rating of “A” (Excellent). For more information visit fmins.com.

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iptiQ and Bindable Announce a New Strategic Partnership


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Bindable, the insurtech leader for digital property and casualty distribution, today announced a strategic partnership with iptiQ. iptiQ offers a state-of-the-art digital life and health insurance platform and was created by leading reinsurer Swiss Re. The new strategic relationship includes a minority investment by iptiQ in Bindable and reflects a shared goal of helping insurance carriers and agents expand their distribution channels across the US.

The benefits of the partnership extend to brands, consumers and agencies. Instead of being siloed—life and health, versus property and casualty—the combined offers create a connected ecosystem of products and services.

“Agents are investing heavily on acquiring customers, and we’re seeing demand from insurance distribution, traditional and non-traditional, wanting to provide broader services and product solutions to their clients. By partnering with Bindable, we’re personalizing customer conversations to create greater engagement and expand insurance protection – while enabling even greater share of wallet,” said Phil Walker, CEO of iptiQ Americas.

As distribution partners adapt to the new normal, the need for seamless and effective customer relationships and digital engagement tools has never been more apparent. According to a study by Forrester and Adobe, companies with robust omnichannel customer engagement strategies realized a 10 percent year-over-year growth in loyalty programs (improving repeat/persistency purchases), a 10 percent increase in average order value, and a 25 percent increase in close rates. The time is now, and this partnership capitalizes on the growing need for an omnichannel approach to customer experience.

“With our business strategies being so well aligned, I am very pleased to have iptiQ partner with us,” said Bill Suneson, Co-founder and CEO of Bindable. “iptiQ has already seen great success across the United States with its distribution of life and health insurance. We are looking forward to partnering with iptiQ in accelerating our growth of combining products and solutions within the US.”

For more information, please visit http://www.bindable.com or iptiQ.com.

About Bindable

Bindable is the insurance technology leader for alternative distribution. Its proprietary platform brings together software, a digital wholesale marketplace, and a full suite of support services to offer flexible, market-ready solutions that connect insurance providers, trusted brands, and consumers. The company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. To learn more about Bindable please visit http://www.bindable.com and connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

About iptiQ

iptiQ is a global risk-tech company, providing a cutting-edge digital insurance platform, world-class underwriting capabilities and high-value life and health insurance products. iptiQ provides digital, protection products on a B2B2C platform that includes omnichannel communications, CRM and agent workforce optimization. Its digital platform helps carriers and distribution partners accelerate access to new customers and products. iptiQ entered the U.S. market in 2016 to address the $26T insurance protection gap, and was created by Swiss Re, a global financial services organization and leading wholesale provider of reinsurance and insurance. To learn more, visit http://www.iptiQ.com and connect on LinkedIn.

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Hippo Strengthens its Legal Team with Four Key Leadership Hires, Deepening its Commitment to Collaboration and Innovation in Home Insurance


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Like our regulators, our focus at Hippo is to be proactively engaged in finding solutions that are in the interest of our customers.

Hippo, the home insurance group that created a new standard of care and protection for homeowners, today announced four key leadership appointments to its legal and compliance team with combined expertise in reinsurance, insurance compliance, governance, national warranty, and federal securities laws. Hippo’s latest legal appointments, who hold deep ties with key business partners and regulators within the U.S. home insurance sector, will support the growth and expansion of Hippo’s protective home insurance products to reach millions more homeowners across the country.

Hippo’s collaborative approach to regulation is fundamental to the company’s mission to deliver intuitive and proactive protection for its home insurance customers. The company’s innovative home insurance model allows for a proactive dialogue with state and federal regulators to ensure the customer’s safety and protection remains top of mind, both in the expansion of its insurance products and in the development of new added protective offerings. Hippo’s alignment with regulators to protect homeowners creates stronger partnerships and pathways that lead to better business practices and safer homes, customers, and surrounding communities.

Hippo’s newest appointments will report to General Counsel and VP of Compliance, Tracy Bowden, who oversees Hippo’s legal and compliance team. The new team members include Susan Linder, Hippo’s Deputy General Counsel of Growth, an experienced legal executive, most recently the Assistant General Counsel for Warranty & Alternative Risks at CNA Insurance, and prior to that General Counsel for Toyota’s Insurance Management Solutions; Laura Hoensch, Hippo’s affiliate Spinnaker Insurance Company’s new General Counsel, an experienced attorney in the insurance industry, where she most recently was General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Head of Government and Regulatory Affairs for Digital Partners, a Munich Re company; Moya McKenna, Hippo’s Insurance Compliance Counsel, who specializes in state insurance regulation and state regulatory compliance and joins the company from the law firm of Duane Morris LLP and previously the Texas Department of Insurance, where she was Assistant Director, Office of Financial Counsel; and Anna Berces, Hippo’s Assistant General Counsel, who joins from Postmates Inc., where she served as Senior Counsel, focusing on a variety of litigation, product compliance, and public company compliance and readiness matters. Prior to Postmates, Anna was with Latham & Watkins LLP where she handled SEC related matters and litigation.

Together Hippo’s new legal leaders will guide the company on its path to the public market, and support its continued growth and innovation in the industry. Laura will lead the program growth and insurance company compliance for Hippo while Susan will focus on non-insurance growth initiatives and compliance. Moya will align state-by-state regulation alongside Hippo’s geographic expansion and state-specific innovative programs, and Anna will guide SEC and compliance standards for Hippo’s upcoming listing day as well as drive Hippo’s consumer compliance initiatives.

“Like our regulators, our focus at Hippo is to be proactively engaged in finding solutions that are in the interest of our customers,” said Bowden. “Susan, Laura, Moya, and Anna were the perfect fit for Hippo in their belief in working in partnership with our regulators to focus on our customers interests. Each brings a unique set of skills, relationships, and expertise to Hippo that will allow us to move more efficiently and act with even greater care, to serve our growing list of customers.”

In March 2021, Hippo announced a definitive business combination agreement with Reinvent Technology Partners Z (“Reinvent”) (NYSE:RTPZ), a special purpose acquisition company (“SPAC”) that takes a “Venture Capital at Scale” approach. Upon the closing of the transaction, the combined company will be publicly traded.

About Hippo

Hippo Insurance Services offers a different kind of home insurance, built from the ground up to provide a new standard of care and protection for homeowners. Our goal is to make homes safer and better protected so customers spend less time worrying about the burdens of homeownership and more time enjoying their homes and the life within. Harnessing real-time data, smart home technology, and a growing suite of home services, we are creating the first integrated home protection platform. Hippo is headquartered in Palo Alto, California with offices in Austin and Dallas, Texas and insurance products available to more than 70 percent of U.S. homeowners in 34 states. Hippo Insurance Services is a licensed property casualty insurance agent with products underwritten by various insurance companies. For more information, including licensing information, visit http://www.hippo.com.

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Retirees Spent Less on Healthcare Costs in 2020 According to New Survey by The Senior Citizens League


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Mary Johnson,
The Senior Citizens League

Although older Americans have been the most at risk of dying from COVID-19, the pandemic has resulted in a rare drop in healthcare spending for this group in 2020, according to a new survey by The Senior Citizens League (TSCL).  The nationwide survey of more than 1098 participants found a very large drop from 2019 to 2020 in the percentage of individuals reporting the highest level of healthcare spending, and a significant increase in the numbers of those with the lower levels of spending.  “This was most likely due to the large number of doctor, medical, dental other visits that were postponed or cancelled as our nation awaited vaccines,” says Mary Johnson, a Medicare policy analyst for The Senior Citizens League (TSCL).

Johnson, who is 69 and receives Medicare herself, cites her own experience.  In 2019, her total healthcare costs, including premiums for Medicare Part B, a Medigap supplement, prescription drug plan, and dental insurance, as well as out – of – pocket spending, totaled $9,500 for the year, about $791 per month.  In 2020, however, her total healthcare spending fell a hefty 43 percent, dropping to $5,397, or $449 per month.  “Since starting Medicare, I can think of no other time since when my healthcare spending went down by this much,” Johnson says.

“This was a temporary drop,” she notes.  “Now that I’m vaccinated, I’m already making up postponed visits and getting routine care for this year as well,” she says.  “What is not so clear is the extent to which other older adults will make up postponed care or experience increased spending for newly – diagnosed conditions or worsened health,” Johnson adds.

The Senior Citizens League’s survey asked participants how much they spent per month on healthcare costs in 2020.  Participants were instructed to include premiums for Medicare Part B, Medigap or Medicare Advantage plans, prescription drug coverage, dental or vision insurance.  The survey also asked participants to include spending on out – of – pocket costs and co – pays for doctor visits, labs, special procedures and diagnostics, prescription drugs, exams by dentists, optometrists.  In addition, participants were told to include spending for glasses, hearing aid batteries and special protective medical items for 2020, such as face masks needed for the pandemic.

The attached table illustrates the difference in responses to the same question between 2019 and 2020.

The Senior Citizens League supports legislation that would reduce Medicare prescription drug costs and strengthen Medicare coverage for all older Americans.

With 1.2 million supporters, The Senior Citizens League is one of the nation’s largest nonpartisan seniors’ groups.  Its mission is to promote and assist members and supporters, to educate and alert senior citizens about their rights and freedoms as U.S. Citizens, and to protect and defend the benefits senior citizens have earned and paid for.  The Senior Citizens League is a proud affiliate of The Retired Enlisted Association.  Visit http://www.SeniorsLeague.org for more information

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