Fraternity-Testvériség, 1964 (42. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1964-07-01 / 7. szám
16 FRATERNITY benefits, hospital expense benefits, surgical, surgical and medical comprehensive benefits covering hospital, home and office visits, and may pay for nurses, and also maternity benefits, etc., to a certain extent as clearly specified in the certificate, depending on the insurance selected by the member. These are not very simple matters, but after proper study and consideration they may be mastered to the extent that the organizers may be able to explain to the applicants the advantages and shortcomings of the various plans in the Hospitalization Insurance Department and what the prospect may expect from his certificate. They have to know that the insurance covers a considerable part of the expenses incurred, but very seldom up to 100%, as it is with the big commercial insurance companies. It is the responsibility of the organizers to make it clear to the insured that the smooth and prompt settlement of any claim is our most sincere desire, but this requires that we receive, preferably at the same time, the claimant’s medical and hospital report, detailed hospital bill and surgical or medical bills. And this is the responsibility of the claimant himself (herself). There is no doubt that the lion’s share in the acquisition and indoctrination of new members belongs to our organizers. Therefore, I think that the proper training of the organizers through refresher meetings as proposed and urged by our Secretary is of utmost importance even if it costs money, but is worth it. And that I express my opinion in this seemingly pure administrative matter is due to the fact that the evaluation of hospitalization benefits, beside our Controller, is also my responsibility. Consequently, I am fully familiar with the above problems. Our experiences with these newer and more comprehensive hospitalization insurances have clearly indicated in the very first year some weak points, which may be detrimental to our Federation and should be corrected. I shall outline my propositions through our President for that very purpose. The number of rejections in the Life Insurance Department decreased by 25%; the total number of rejections for the four-year period was 59, which small number speaks for itself. The similarity between the causes of death and the causes of rejection was obvious and clearly indicated the inevitable necessity of the rejections. The number of deaths showed an increase of 227, but our mortality rate still remained quite excellent, because the above increase belonged almost exclusively to the age groups between the years of 70 and 90. Heart disease and cancer were again the leaders among the causes of death. Heart disease jumped from 57 to 60.14%, but this increase was due to degenerative processes as seen with advanced age. The number of deaths between 50 and 59 years increased by 56%, most of them victims of coronary thrombosis, although such deaths occurred even in the young age groups, between 20 and 29.
