The story of how opioids, the strongest of painkillers, crept into everyday use and abuse is now the stuff of investigative news reports, books and documentaries. So, what is the big deal about these little pills?
Continue reading “The Opioid Crisis: Of Pain and Killers”
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The Opioid Crisis: Of Pain and Killers
The introduction of legalized cannabis in October 2018 was accompanied by a great deal of publicity, debate and no shortage of controversy. Less publicized but equally as important, were the changes made to the impaired driving laws in December 2018, addressing the use of both alcohol and cannabis when behind the wheel of a vehicle. Continue reading “DUIs: New Laws for a New Era”
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Driving High and how it can Impact Your Future
Most agree that money can buy the necessities and a little more money can add a few extra comforts to our day-to-day lives. In fact, it is often debated whether a greater fortune brings longer life, but few medical studies have taken a serious look at this question.
Until now, a biopsy study looking for cancer usually involves either a sharp scalpel to remove the suspected tissue or a needle injected into the site requiring examination. What if a simple, inexpensive blood test could do the following: Continue reading “Liquid Gold: A Fluid Approach to Cancer Underwriting”
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A Fluid Approach to Cancer
With the legalization of marijuana across Canada, the insurance industry has also moved toward accepting recreational users on a larger scale and, more recently, on a non-smoker rate basis. Continue reading “Cannabis and Underwriting”
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Legal Cannabis: What It Means For Your Insurability
Sometimes, medical tests done for underwriting purposes point to a potential health or mortality concern, even when the client has received a clean bill of health from their attending physician. This can result in the client being offered a ‘rated’ life insurance policy or being categorically declined coverage altogether even though the client reports, “But my doctor says I’m fine!” Continue reading “But My Doctor Says I’m Fine”
Bringing the right blend of expertise and creativity to earn the opportunity to put your client’s insurance plan together is half your challenge. The other half is knowing who to have on your team to help you make a good insurance plan even better. Your secret weapon: advanced underwriting experts who help you move your large cases from access to assessment to advice. Underwriting impacts the sale and having sound advice will help get you and your client to a great solution faster.
Underwriting for older lives remains a challenge and cognitive decline is the hardship most often seen among our aging population and client base. Asking the right questions and looking at emerging data continue to be underwriting cornerstones.
Continue reading “Cognitive Decline and Vitamins: As Simple as C and E”
Alcohol use varies greatly among insurance applicants as does the impact on health and mortality. In North America, almost 100,000 deaths annually are attributed to alcohol and the cost is in excess of $250 billion*. How much is too much is a perennial question and current thinking pegs healthy drinking at less than 14 drinks per week and less than 4 drinks in a single day. For women and adults 65 and older, 7 drinks per week and no more than 3 a day are recommended.
Continue reading “Binges, Blackouts, and the Risky Drinker”
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A Toast to Healthier Living
In May 2017, the Canadian parliament passed the Genetic Non-Discrimination Act (GNA) – formerly known as Bill S-201 – that precludes, under certain conditions, the insurance industry’s ability to use genetic tests for underwriting. The GNA, an Act to prohibit and prevent discrimination, states that genetic test information can no longer be requested or used in rendering underwriting decisions.
Continue reading “Genes, Testing, and the Angelina Jolie Effect”
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Your Genes, Your Business