Healthcare in the United Kingdom is a devolved matter, meaning England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales each have their own systems of private and publicly funded healthcare. Each region having different policies and priorities has resulted in a variety of differences existing between the systems.[1][2] That said, each country provides public healthcare to all UK permanent residents that is free at the point of need, being paid for from general taxation. In addition, each also has a private healthcare sector which is considerably smaller than its public equivalent, with provision of private healthcare acquired by means of private health insurance, funded as part of an employer funded healthcare scheme or paid directly by the customer, though provision can be restricted for those with conditions such as AIDS/HIV.[3]
Taken together, the World Health Organization, in 2000, ranked the provision of healthcare in the United Kingdom as fifteenth best in Europe and eighteenth in the world.[4][5] A report from the Commonwealth Fund Mirror, Mirror on the Wall used information from surveys to compare seven first world healthcare systems, ranking the United Kingdom as second overall, taking first place in subcategories including effective care and efficiency.[6] The UK performed best overall and best in many categories when this report was updated in 2014, when the comparisons were extended to include 11 countries.[7]
Overall, around 8.4 per cent of the United Kingdom's gross domestic product is spent on healthcare, which is 0.5% below the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development average and about one percent below the average of the European Union.[8]
Most healthcare in England is provided by the National Health Service (NHS), England's publicly funded healthcare system, which accounts for most of the Department of Health's budget (£98.6 billion in 2008-9[9]). The actual delivery of health care services is managed by ten Strategic Health Authorities and, below this, locally accountable trusts and other bodies.[10] Social care services are a shared responsibility with the local NHS and the local government Directors of Social Services under the guidance of the DH. From the birth of the NHS in 1948, private healthcare has continued to exist, paid for largely by private insurance. In recent years, despite some evidence that a large proportion of the public oppose such involvement,[11] the private sector has been used to increase NHS capacity. In addition, there is some relatively minor sector crossover between public and private provision with it possible for some NHS patients to be treated in private healthcare facilities[12] and some NHS facilities let out to the private sector for privately funded treatments or for pre- and post-operative care.[13] However, since private hospitals tend to manage only routine operations and lack a level 3 critical care unit (or intensive therapy unit), unexpected emergencies may lead to the patient being transferred to an NHS hospital[14] as very few private hospitals have a level 3 critical care unit (or intensive therapy unit), putting the patients at greater risk and costing the NHS money.
The two main kinds of trusts in the NHS, reflecting purchaser/provider roles, are commissioning trusts such as Primary Care Trusts which examine local needs and negotiate with providers (that may be public or private entities) to provide health care services to the local population, and provider trusts which are NHS bodies delivering health care service. They will be involved in agreeing major capital and other health care spending projects in their region.[10] Services commissioned include general practice physician services (most of whom are private businesses working under exclusive contract to the NHS), community nursing, local clinics and mental health service. For most people, the majority of health care is delivered in a primary health care setting. Provider trusts are care deliverers, the main examples being the hospital trusts and the ambulance trusts which spend the money allocated to them by the commissioning trusts. Hospitals, as they tend to provide more complex and specialized care, receive the lion's share of NHS funding.[15] The hospital trusts own assets (such as hospitals and the equipment in them) purchased for the nation and held in trust for them.[10] Commissioning has also been extended to the very lowest level enabling ordinary doctors who identify a need in their community to commission services to meet that need. Primary care is delivered by a wide range of independent contractors such as GPs, dentists, pharmacists and optometrists and is the first point of contact for most people. Secondary care (sometimes termed acute health care) can be either elective care or emergency care and providers may be in the public or private sector, though the majority of secondary care happens in NHS owned facilities.[16] There are also (as of 2009) 246 Memory clinics in the United Kingdom.[17]
The NHS Constitution covers the rights and obligations of patients and staff, many of which are legally enforceable.[18] The NHS has a high level of popular public support within the country: an independent survey conducted in 2004 found that users of the NHS often expressed very high levels satisfaction about their personal experience of the medical services they received: 92% of hospital in-patients, 87% of GP users, 87% of hospital outpatients, and 70% of Accident and Emergency department users.[19] However, only 67% of those surveyed agreed with the statement "My local NHS is providing me with a good service”, and only 51% agreed with the statement “The NHS is providing a good service.[19] Satisfaction in successive surveys has noted high satisfaction across all patient groups, especially recent inpatients, and user satisfaction is notably higher than that of the general public. The report found that most highly recalled sources of information on the NHS are perceived to be the most critical. The national press was seen to be the most critical (64%), followed by local press (54%) and TV or radio (51%) compared to just 13% saying the national press is favourable). The national press was reported as being the least reliable source of information (50% reporting it to be not very or not at all reliable, compared to 36% believing the press was reliable).[19] Newspapers were reported as being less favourable and also less reliable than the broadcast media. The most reliable sources of information were considered to be leaflets from GPs and information from friends (both 77% reported as reliable) and medical professionals (75% considered reliable).[19]
Monday, June 23, 2014
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Best car insurance companies 2013/2014
Our reader survey reveals the best car insurance companies in the business
Insurance is one of the most expensive costs of car ownership. Many insurers now offer different packages and benefits to attract and keep customers, but the cheapest isn’t always the best.
In the unfortunate event of an accident, you’ll want the most reliable car insurer behind you when making a claim or settling a dispute, and our 2013 Driver Power results can help you pick the best.
We asked thousands of you to rate your car insurers in the categories including communication, the time they took to settle a claim, helpfulness and attitude, value for money and overall service. To make the results as accurate as possible, we only ranked insurers with a reasonable number of responses. Both insurers and brokers were including in the rankings, as we asked drivers to rate who they dealt with when making an insurance claim or sorting out cover.
So what is the best car insurance company? Does your car insurer even make it into our list? Read on to find out the best car insurance companies 2013/2014.
1. NFU Mutual
Taking the top spot – just as it did last year – is NFU Mutual. The brilliant customer service and attentive staff pleased drivers, with one praising them for the "excellent and helpful service from the local office." Many were also satisfied with NFU Mutual's efficiency on providing policy information and sorting out a claim, while the fact they didn’t have to chat to someone in a call centre also impressed.
One user said NFU Mutual was "probably the best in terms of product and service standards." With its excellent reputation and service, NFU Mutual certainly deserves the top spot.
2. LV= Frizzell
Frizzell slipped to fourth place in last 2012's Driver Power survey, but the specialist insurer for organisations and trade unions has pushed itself back up to second place by improving in every category.
Nearly all customer reviews were positive, with one describing Frizzell as "always competitive, very easy to contact and helpful", and another praising it for offering a "top-notch policy at a competitive price."
3. Adelaide IAM Surety
Adelaide IAM Surety, which offers cover to paying members of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, has retained last year's ranking (including a number one for value) and even moved up a place for its speed at settling claims.
There were many positive comments for Surety, with a number of drivers telling us the provider was reputable, while others praised the good value and excellent service.
4. Royal and Sun Alliance
Despite dropping from third to fourth place this year, Royal and Sun Alliance's reputation for overall service remains the same, and it's only dropped one place in all other categories.
Customers said RSA has always been polite and helpful, and praised the excellent service, pleasant staff, realistic price. If Royal and Sun Alliance continue like this, it's possible that it could win its way back into the top three next year.
5. SAGA
SAGA fell out of the top four in 2012's Driver Power survey and we predicted that it would slip out of the top 10 in this year's survey – but it looks like we were wrong. The insurer improved in all categories, but most impressive was a seven place rise in the speed of settling claims category. One customer described SAGA as "a fair company that listens to your questions and gives a good deal."
6. Liverpool Victoria
Liverpool Victoria dropped one place overall last year, but it's managed to work its way up to sixth in this year's survey. It improved in all categories and rose an impressive five places for the time it takes to settle claims, while finishing third for value for money. One driver said: "Very reliable and good value – when I’ve made a claim, everything has been settled quickly and hassle free."
7. John Lewis Insurance
John Lewis is this year's highest-ranked newcomer, finishing fifth in two categories and seventh in another three categories. It beats Groupama, our second-highest new entry, which ranked 17th for value. One impressed customer said: "Cover provided represents excellent value, and all communications are clear and easy to understand."
If John Lewis maintains this level of quality and affordability, there's a chance it could break into the Driver Power top five.
8. RIAS
In previous Driver Power surveys, RIAS finished in the top five for both communication and value for money, but it's slipped down to eighth in both categories this year. Many drivers weren't as happy with the quality of service, with one saying: "Communication skills have been disappointing."
Should RIAS continue to let quality fall, we wouldn't expect to see it in next year's top 10 list.
9. Groupama
Newcomer, Groupama, made quite a mark in 2013, where its only weakness was value for money. Its staff were described as helpful and very experienced, while others praised it for perfect communications, competitive rates and its ability to take ownership when a claim is required.
Other car insurers should have a lot to worry about if Groupama can reduce its costs over the next 12 months, while delivering the same excellent service.
10. Co-operative Insurance
Despite dropping down the rankings over the years, Co-operative Insurance's overall strengths have helped it stay in our top 10. Ratings for helpfulness, attitude and overall service didn’t change, but the Co-op's speed at settling claims – its biggest strength last year – is now a weakness.
It's unlikely the insurer will stay in our top 10 if they continue to slip in this area. However, the company's was praised in others, with drivers commenting on how friendly and and helpful the customer service team was.
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Best Life Insurance Companies
Planning for the day your are gone is something you don't want to put off until it is too late. Every day you wait to purchase life insurance you risk higher rates, a lower payout, and the chance that you could be gone with no policy in place.
Experts suggest that you have at least enough life insurance to cover your existing debt, but many people choose to go beyond this to ensure the financial stability of their families. To help you get started with securing a life insurance policy for yourself or your loved ones, below is a list of the top 10 best life insurance companies providing coverage to consumers in the United States. Don't agree with the list? Vote for an existing item you think should be ranked higher or if you are a logged in, add a new item for others to vote on or create your own version of this list.
Primerica
I totally agree that Primerica delivers it's promise paying a fair claim if one should arise, help family with their overall teachings, and provide financial services that's available. One may need to pay close attention to what one is purchasing. Our experience is different. I love the company and do have 2 policies actually with the company, one policy happens to be a 20 yr term and the other a 30 yr term. My 20 yr term is a 20 yr guaranteed level premium, meaning that I will pay the same monthly payments for 20 yrs. That is awesome right, especially with a A+ Company, who wants to complain about that, not me especially. Let's take a look at my 30 yr Term Policy. The 30 yr Policy is called a 30 yr level term life insurance policy, but did you see. It's missing the word "GUARANTEED". The policy only guarantees the premium for their policy for 20 yrs, meaning that the monthly payments that you are paying now will only be guaranteed to stay the same for 20 yrs. After that, the company "Primerica" can change the rate according to their guaranteed chart assuming their mortality has change drastically. Heads up for many who plan to keep their 25,30, 35 yr term policies. Although Primerica claims that they have never change any rates for more than 30 yrs, it's irrelevant that the company will not in the future. Some of Primerica's term policies are not guaranteed for the entire term as described. Please read your policies or ask your representatives. Do not worry if you have a 20 yr term or lower if it's from Primerica. IT'S GUARANTEED.
Primerica comes with no hidden agenda. My family was educated on how life insurance really works. We were not just sold another life policy like the one we had before. Claims are paid the fastest in the industry and you have constant contact with your life insurance rep. Not some person in a customers call center who will tell you they will have your rep give you a call. With Primerica I learned how to TRUELY protect my estate where the other company would have left my estate in Probate court and my family would have lost most everything. Thank you Primerica!
I have personally seen how Primerica delivers even when it technically did not have to. A dear friend of mine developed a chronic condition years after signing on to a Primerica policy. Of course that policy stayed in force. However, he neglected to renew before the end of term and missed some months. Primerica decided to stand by him and renew his policy for a reasonable rate for an additional 10 years even though they had no obligation to do so at all. They looked at a client who had stayed with them for years and decided to return the loyalty. It was not about money, it was the right thing to do for a loyal customer. Other companies would either have denied him or forced a very high risk rate on him. The twist to this story is that recently he passed suddenly. Primerica paid the entire claim within two weeks. I know how much that meant to his surviving family. I am emotional now thinking about it and how grateful I know he would be. I can not say enough about this humane and totally different company. As for my family and I we are clients for life!
New York Life
Quick policy loans turnaround. Not to mention it's knowledgeable staffs and agents to help you better understand your policy. Most definitely a company you keep. It's been around for a long time, and for sure it will most definitely be around when it's time to pass. I know that New York Life will definitely take care of it's promise to my beneficiaries when I pass.
I had 2 policies with this company. A $10k whole life purchased in 1969 and another whole life for $5k added in 1971. This company has been horrible to me! I was a single mother and took out some loans from both policies. When I was injured at work in 1983 the disability insurance took effect and my premiums stopped. I was unable to repay the loans but for many yrs my yearly dividends were used to pay my interest AND send me a check. Then one day I received a letter from NYL informing me that if I didn't pay them several hundred dollars that my policies would be foreclosed. Policies I had had for 20 years. 'Suddenly" dividends were down and interest rates were up. I could not pay it all and they foreclosed the smaller policy. It also seemed asif they had added the smaller loan to the bigger policy. I felt cheated and will always feel they are crooks.
Best company, does the right thing, unlike most insurance companies, great value in the policies, pays claims the quickest, best in financial strength, most reliable when most needed.
Prudential
Definitely not the most competitive rates if one is looking for the cheapest term life insurance companies, but you'll be surprised how wonderful a company it can be if one is to have some kind of impaired risk. This is a wonderful company to work with if you may have some kind of health issues that is under control.
Competitive rates, Excellent products, quick claims
Always Listenting And Always Understanding. Easy to claim, Understand about Customer
MetLife
They have a snoopy doggie witch is why it is coo
Norrisofchuck
I am still waiting for Met Life to pay on my husband's death ( going on 6 months now)!
Out of the all the policies we had, Met Life - through his employer- is the only one that has drug it out claiming they didn't have the correct paperwork. They didn't say that for the years we paid the premiums. Then I call to find out anything they always say they don't have any one working in that department with the name that the last person with whom I had spoken had given me. It is way past ridiculous!
Out of the all the policies we had, Met Life - through his employer- is the only one that has drug it out claiming they didn't have the correct paperwork. They didn't say that for the years we paid the premiums. Then I call to find out anything they always say they don't have any one working in that department with the name that the last person with whom I had spoken had given me. It is way past ridiculous!
The rates are great for the rating if the company
State Farm
I have to say that State Farm agents are the most professional insurance representatives that I've ever dealt with. They are so knowledgeable on auto, home, life insurance even with retirement. I gotta say that it is a peace of mind to be able to count on just one person to handle your insurance and financial needs. They will come to your house if you preffer and will educate you like no other agent would. They also like to meet with you every year to make sure your policies are up to date and to you give you a little refresh.
Very Poor company to deal with. Paid supplemental health insurance for 6 years. Changed the rate mid year without sending a separate notice. We pay bills by banks electronic payments. Raised bill by less ten dollars. Received first cancellation notice three months after the fact would not let me send the $30.00 to fix the problem. This company sucks.
State Farm guaranteed whole life.. Don't listen and you will have wished you did. Their good and solid. Do your home work. Term... I don't think so good luc11 get itk and stay blessed. Investigate please. It's your life and your family
10 best auto insurance companies: 2014 customer satisfaction rankings
State Farm and Farmers also garnered strong scores in all auto insurance measurements but were outpaced by USAA in renewal and recommendation ratings.
Making decisions
We also asked customers their reasons for deciding to buy from their insurers. Flo is paying off: Progressive has the highest number of customers who made their decision based on seeing a TV commercial (18 percent), followed closely by Allstate (17 percent) and Geico (16 percent). USAA had the lowest percentage of customers (4 percent) who chose the company based on a commercial.
Methodology
Insure.com conducted surveys of 3,835 insurance customers nationwide in February and March 2014 to collect 9,586 company reviews. Only current customers of the insurers on our lists were surveyed. The survey was not open to the general public on the Insure.com website. We collected reviews for auto, home, health and life insurance carriers. Consumers answered questions about their levels of satisfaction with their insurers, and each answer was assigned a point value. Points were then averaged and totaled for each company.
A.M. Best ratings do not affect the scores but are provided as a supplementary resource. The “discounts” and “coverage options” information for auto insurance carriers also does not affect the scores.
We collected data for 15 large companies in each category, so not all companies are represented in the study. The companies for which we collected data were then ranked. The top three companies in each category earned Insure.com's "People's Choice Award." In the life insurance category, a tie for third place resulted in four insurers receiving the award.
1. USAA
Overall score: 93.9
Claims processing: 4.5 stars
Customers who recommend: 83%
2. State Farm
Overall score: 92.7
Claims processing: 4.5 stars
Customers who recommend: 81%
3. Farmers
Overall score: 91.5
Claims processing: 4.5 stars
Customers who recommend: 74%
4. GEICO
Overall score: 91.1
Claims processing: 4.5 stars
Customers who recommend: 75%
5. Auto Club of Southern California
Overall score: 90.5
Claims processing: 4.5 stars
Customers who recommend: 81%
6. Nationwide
Overall score: 90.5
Claims processing: 4.5 stars
Customers who recommend: 76%
7. Liberty Mutual
Overall score: 90.2
Claims processing: 4 stars
Customers who recommend: 74%
8. Allstate
Overall score: 90
Claims processing: 4 stars
Customers who recommend: 78%
9. American Family
Overall score: 89.5
Claims processing: 4 stars
Customers who recommend: 76%
10. The Hartford
Overall score: 89
Claims processing: 4 stars
Customers who recommend: 76%
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