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Work & Life
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Human medical emergencies pose conundrum for veterinarians
6/7/2013
Many are unsure of their responsibility and liability
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Veterinarians see eye-to-eye to help kitten with birth defect
5/16/2013
Colleagues bridge distance to provide restorative eyelid surgery
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GHLIT to unveil private health insurance exchange
2/15/2013
Veterinarians carrying GHLIT medical coverage forced to find new plans
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Shift worker syndrome impacts some veterinarians
1/31/2013
Studies tie sleep deficiency to health consequences
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Free pet food offer brings deluge of requests
12/26/2012
All 10,000 pounds now spoken for
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Free pet food available by the ton
12/21/2012
Surplus from Hurricane Sandy relief sits in warehouse
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Veterinary clinic collects holiday donations for military dogs
12/19/2012
'Joy to the Woof' successful beyond expectations
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Is the doctor in?
12/5/2012
Veterinarians grapple with demand for extended hours
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‘The Incredible Dr. Pol’ asserts innocence despite board discipline
10/8/2012
Star of reality TV show placed on probation
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Veterinarians with disabilities: Practicing a full life
10/1/2012
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Catanzaro named Bustad recipient
8/6/2012
Coveted award honors veterinarians fostering human-animal bond
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Dog breed genetic tests put to the test
7/10/2012
Science is solid but results aren’t precise
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Hospital chain headhunts for talent among veterinary practice staff
7/3/2012
Veterinarians debate ethics of Banfield's recruiting methods
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Remembering Rosenthal: 'People from all walks of life loved him'
5/24/2012
Celebrated oncologist emphasized academics, family, joy of living
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Pilot filmed for veterinary television show
5/16/2012
‘Super Vets’ would highlight veterinary capabilities
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Veterinarians ponder ideal number of daily appointments
5/7/2012
Personality, staff, community expectations shape preferences
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‘Why are vets so expensive?’
4/13/2012
Practitioner tackles sensitive question
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‘Special Direct Consolidation Loan’ offer confuses borrowers
3/19/2012
Limited offer exemplifies complexity of school-debt repayment options
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Veterinary clinic owner pays heavy price for military service
3/5/2012
Financial recovery elusive following deployment
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Memorial to honor dogs that perished in veterinary practice fire
2/29/2012
Veterinarian recalls chaos, sadness following devastation
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Heartwarming stories of healing boost spirits of veterinarians
12/21/2011
Good news welcomed in profession
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Veterinarian tells story of chaos, relief in tornado's aftermath
6/1/2011
Dr. Ben Leavens sets up makeshift ER while family is missing
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Russian veterinarian becomes impromptu seal expert
5/31/2011
Stranded pups show up three years in a row
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Veterinarians prone to suicide: Fact or fiction?
5/9/2011
Several studies suggest it’s true, but research in U.S. spotty
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Veterinarians and suicide: Personal stories from the edge of the precipice
5/9/2011
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Veterinarian, three others die at hands of Somalian pirates
2/22/2011
Dr. Robert Riggle is UC-Davis alumnus
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Renowned veterinarian Dr. Robert W. Kirk dies
1/20/2011
Veterinarian had worldwide impact on profession
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Veterinary student debt continues to climb
1/4/2011
Despite years of concern, solutions remain elusive
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Debt problem is everyone’s
1/4/2011
Most student loans financed by taxpayers
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Veterinarian saves cat; stranger saves cat's owner
12/30/2010
Tale of generous acts heartens spirits
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Work-life balance a tightrope for many veterinarians
11/30/2010
Practitioners battle burnout, stress
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Veterinarian's recipe for stone soup serves up aid, cooperation
11/30/2010
Pay-it-forward idea fosters collegiality within profession
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From treating dogs to transporting tigers: A military veterinarian's duty
11/16/2010
Life of military veterinarian is diverse
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Human bites veterinary clinic owner
11/3/2010
Victim takes it in stride
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Germ that causes cat scratch disease not necessarily mild
9/20/2010
Veterinary professionals at risk of Bartonella infections
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Just say 'no' to telephone solicitors
8/23/2010
Clinic owners describe latest scheme involving Discover, Legal Club of America
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With friends like these …
8/6/2010
The perils of Facebook; how to protect your practice
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Veterinarian plans to rebuild following clinic fire
7/19/2010
Smoke claims lives of pets in N.Y. practice
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Clinic security increases after technician’s rape, murder
6/29/2010
Veterinarians urge safety precautions in the face of the unimaginable
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"Click and treat" for staff appreciation
6/15/2010
Positive reinforcement improves employee morale
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Who’s on VIN?
6/4/2010
Online community debates merits of exclusivity; panel report clarifies access policies for non-veterinarians
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Balancing practice ownership, motherhood
5/7/2010
With women now a majority among veterinarians, stakes are high for entire profession
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Veterinarian struck, killed while aiding dog
4/19/2010
Police searching for driver involved in hit-and-run
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CSU professor remains in critical condition following accident
4/2/2010
Support pours in from community
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Memorial services help veterinarians, clients process grief
3/10/2010
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Bah Humbug? Veterinarians risk Scrooge label despite charitable acts
12/28/2009
Growing need for free care can conflict with business side of practice
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The kindness of strangers restores faith in human nature
11/16/2009
Anonymous donors help pay for emergency care
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Ed Eames, service dog advocate, dies in Fresno
11/13/2009
Death of educator, speaker leaves void in community
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Programs support senior pets, senior clients
9/16/2009
Efforts call attention to pets’ need for lifelong care
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Veterinarians Without Borders takes stock in Liberia
9/8/2009
Education, rabies vaccinations at the top of their list
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Giving back in Central America
7/24/2009
Medical mission to aid Honduras' impoverished headed by VIN member
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War hero, veterinarian dedicated his life to students, profession
7/17/2009
Dr. Erwin Small is remembered
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From bathtub to the Baltic Sea
6/12/2009
Rescued seal pup returns to the wild
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Veterinary charity highlighted by economic woes
3/30/2009
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Contest honors those who make house calls
2/25/2009
Winners include some who work with animal rescue, injured wildlife
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Veterinarian shrinks waistline, expands fan base
12/9/2008
Dr. Brian Spar commended for 'inspirational' life change
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GHLIT to unveil private health insurance exchange
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February 15, 2013
By: Jennifer Fiala
For The VIN News Service
Efforts are underway to revive medical insurance for American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) members.
The AVMA indemnity arm Group Health and Life Insurance Trust (GHLIT) is launching a private health insurance exchange this spring that will provide member veterinarians with an online marketplace to compare and buy health insurance policies.
The move is designed to help the 17,000 or so veterinarians and their families with GHLIT policies secure new medical insurance in the wake of news that their current health insurance programs will be terminated by the year's end.
Private health insurance exchanges are a product of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2014. The GHLIT’s exchange will be built on a platform created by HealthPlan Services, a technology and administrative services provider for insurance and managed care markets.
So far, there’s no word on what plans will be offered. A GHLIT news release states that the private exchange will open in March and roll out in two phases. The first phase will focus on insurance needs of AVMA members aged 65 and older. The second phase will expand to include insurance plans and resources for all other members.
“Making sure our members have easy and secure access to the information, resources and customer service they need to make informed insurance coverage decisions is our top priority,” GHLIT Chairman Dr. James Brandt said in the release.
GHLIT trustees learned last fall that New York Life and Co., the GHLIT’s longtime underwriter of its medical insurance offerings, planned to terminate its business with GHLIT and all other associations after 2013.
The reason: Language in the federal health care act forces underwriters such as New York Life to open its brand of association medical coverage to the general public, not just association members. Individual medical insurance is not a product that New York Life offers.
With New York Life’s exit, GHLIT was left without an underwriter. Chief Executive Officer Libby Wallace explained that the decision to end the GHLIT’s brand of medical insurance wasn’t made without looking for ways to save the program.
(The GHLIT's other insurance programs, such as disability and life insurance policies, will continue unchanged.)
"We have looked for other underwriters, and because of the way the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is written, companies aren’t willing to underwrite groups like ours,” Wallace said last December in an interview with the VIN News Service. “We’ve been to several major carriers, and they weren’t willing to assume the business.”
That news has been disappointing to veterinarians, many who have come to rely on the GHLIT brand.
Dr. Link Welborn, owner of four practices in Florida, has carried GHLIT medical insurance for 30 years. Through he offers United Healthcare’s insurance to his staff of 70, he’s remained loyal to GHLIT.
“I’ve never switched,” he said. “I guess it’s (because of) the long-term comfort I get knowing that the trust was advocating for veterinarians. Now for the first time I’ll have to take a look at our staff program, the GHLIT exchange and make comparisons."
Shopping for health insurance, "is one more hassle nobody needs," he added.
A 34-year-old veterinarian and mother who has multiple sclerosis (MS), seconds that. The small animal practitioner from Wyoming spoke on condition of anonymity for fear that publicizing her medical condition might invite discrimination from potential employers. Having leaned on GHLIT's medical insurance since her 2008 diagnosis, news that the program will end on Dec. 31 has reduced her to tears.
“There’s just too many unknowns,” she said. “That’s the hard thing.”
Though the GHLIT’s medical insurance is described by some as “Cadillac coverage” and often deemed expensive, the veterinarian appreciates the comfort she gets from the AVMA-backed program. Years ago, GHLIT medical insurance supported her father-in-law’s battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Now it covers the $5,000-a-month medication she needs to manage her autoimmune disease.
Between health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket deductibles, she spends $25,000 a year with GHLIT. What other health insurance programs might cost is unclear.
“It’s scary not knowing what’s coming, wondering if another program will cover my condition,” she said. “Even if we don’t buy a house, we have to have health insurance.”
The MS-afflicted veterinarian appreciates GHLIT’s efforts to develop a private exchange, thinking it might ease the back-end work she needs to do to find new medical coverage. Still, she grieves the pending loss of an insurance program she’s come to rely on.
“When I’ve changed jobs, I haven’t had to change insurance; it’s become routine," she said. “I'm worried by change but hopeful that the new system could be better."
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