Latest news with #claims
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Dealing with Lost Luggage
To find out whether an airline or airport is part of an approved Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme, click here, something goes wrong with your luggage when you're travelling, remember the key deadlines below for claiming compensation.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
US weekly jobless claims fall, but still elevated
The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell last week, but stayed at levels consistent with a further loss of labor market momentum in June. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 245,000 for the week ended June 14, the Labor Department said on Wednesday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 245,000 claims for the latest week. The report was released a day early because of the Juneteenth National Independence Day holiday on Thursday. Claims are in the upper end of their range for this year and could remain there, with non-teaching staff in some states eligible to file for unemployment benefits during the summer school holidays. Though some technical factors accounted for the elevation in claims, there has been a rise in layoffs, with economists saying President Donald Trump's broad tariffs had created a challenging economic environment for businesses. The claims data covered the period during which the government surveyed businesses for the nonfarm payrolls component of June's employment report. Federal Reserve officials wrapping up their two-day policy meeting on Wednesday are expected to leave the U.S. central bank's its benchmark overnight interest rate in the 4.25%-4.50% range, where it has been since December, while monitoring the economic fallout from the import duties and the conflict between Israel and Iran. The still historically low layoffs have accounted for much of the labor market stability, with the hiring side of the equation soft amid hesitancy by employers to increase headcount because of the unsettled economic environment. Nonfarm payrolls increased by 139,000 jobs in May, down from 193,000 a year ago. Data next week on the number of people receiving benefits after an initial week of aid, a proxy for hiring, could shed more light on the state of the labor market in June. The so-called continuing claims dropped 6,000 to a seasonally adjusted 1.945 million during the week ending June 7. Recently laid off workers are struggling to find work. (Reporting By Lucia Mutikani; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Washington Post
US unemployment claims dipped to 245,000 last week, hovering at historically low levels
WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits dipped to 245,000 last week, hovering at historically low levels, the Labor Department said Wednesday. U.S. jobless claims ticked down from 250,000 the week before Economists had forecast 250,000. The four-week average of claims, which smooths out week-to-week volatility, rose to 245,500, the highest since August 2023.
CNA
2 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Great Eastern stops issuing pre-authorisation certificates for admission to Mount Elizabeth hospitals
SINGAPORE: Insurer Great Eastern from Tuesday (Jun 17) stopped issuing pre-authorisation certificates for policyholders admitted to Mount Elizabeth hospitals in Novena and Orchard. According to a notice on its Health Connect website, it said such certificates will still be available for other hospitals and day surgery centres. Pre-authorisation refers to the insurer's approval of coverage for medical costs before treatment. In response to CNA's queries, a spokesperson for Great Eastern said: "We have observed that, over the past few years, certain private hospitals have been charging significantly more for similar treatment." The move is part of the company's "ongoing efforts to manage rising healthcare costs and ensure long-term affordability for all policyholders". "We want to assure our policyholders that there is no change to their coverage, and they can still receive treatment and submit claims as usual with no impact to their benefits," the spokesperson added. For example, both hospitals can still issue electronic letters of guarantees or file claims to Great Eastern, where the claims will be assessed according to the terms and conditions of their policy. All eligible and covered claims will be paid, said the spokesperson. Letters of guarantees can be requested when patients are unable to settle the pre-admission deposit for day surgery and inpatient hospital treatments. It can be used to waive the deposit for up to S$50,000 (US$38,900) in private hospitals. Any pre-authorisation certificates issued before Jun 17 will be honoured, added the spokesperson. HEALTHCARE GROUP "SURPRISED" The two Mount Elizabeth hospitals are part of IHH Healthcare Singapore, the largest private healthcare provider in the country. Gleneagles Hospital and Parkway East Hospitals, also owned by the group, are not affected by the cessation of pre-authorisation certifications. The suspension 'surprised' IHH Healthcare Singapore, which has been in active discussion with Great Eastern over the past few months, the group's chief operating officer and chief executive officer of Mount Elizabeth Hospital Mr Yong Yih Ming told CNA on Wednesday. Mr Yong said: 'We do not agree with GE's claim about higher prices at two of our hospitals for similar procedures and case profiles. "Each of our hospitals has different focus and areas of excellence - Mount Elizabeth Hospital and Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital house facilities and equipment that allow specialists to manage patients and perform surgeries that are not available at other hospitals.' This is also why some of the more complex cases are managed at these two hospitals, he said. Great Eastern policyholders who are undergoing medical care by specialists at the Mount Elizabeth hospitals, or have treatment records there, will continue to have cashless access to hospital admissions. 'This ensures that these patients do not need to worry about cash outlay for their treatment,' said Mr Yong. 'We are also working closely with our specialists to avail price packages to patients, to help manage their cost of care.' In response to CNA's query on what the two hospitals would have to demonstrate for certificates to be issued again, Great Eastern said it encouraged policyholders to contact its medical care concierge for information on their "various options" for treatment. "This includes suggesting private and public hospitals where they could seek treatment, along with their respective costs and how much Great Eastern will cover for each, depending on the type of plan they hold," said the spokesperson. "This service has been specially designed to provide peace of mind, transparency, and help them make informed decisions." In response to CNA's query on whether AIA Singapore would be pausing pre-authorisation certificates to the hospitals, the company said on Wednesday that it continues to work closely with the Life Insurance Association of Singapore, the Ministry of Health and professional medical associations to manage healthcare cost inflation to ensure the continued accessibility of quality healthcare for policyholders. AIA Singapore did not state if it has a pre-authorisation arrangement with the Mount Elizabeth hospitals and if so, if it would continue with the coverage in the wake of Great Eastern's move.
Bloomberg
2 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
US Jobless Claims Tick Down, Remaining at Elevated Levels
Applications for US unemployment benefits ticked down last week, stabilizing near the highest levels in eight months. Initial claims decreased by 5,000 to 245,000 in the week ended June 14, in line with the median forecast in a Bloomberg survey of economists. Continuing claims, a proxy for the number of people receiving benefits, also fell slightly, to 1.95 million, in the previous week, according to Labor Department data released Wednesday.
