Fortis Says Temporary Health Insurance Is A Valuable Option In Light Of Layoffs.

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MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- A rising national unemployment rate and an increase in layoffs, Fortis Health warns, is leaving many people temporarily without health insurance. What's worse, the insurer says, the majority of those people are unaware that short-term medical insurance is an affordable option to protect their health and financial security.

Short term medical insurance is an excellent product that can help millions of people fill the gap between permanent health insurance plans, according to Kathy Clark, market development director, specialty products division at Fortis Health. "With large employers like Barnes & Noble, Sears, Verizon, and GM experiencing mass layoffs, not to mention thousands of smaller companies, there is an even greater demand for temporary insurance," says Clark. "As the nation's largest provider of short term medical, we've conducted significant research which shows a real lack of consumer awareness about the product. Unfortunately, most don't even know it exists."

Designed for individual and family coverage, Clark explained, this major medical insurance product is 'affordable, allows choice of service providers and boasts a fast, easy application process. She said that coverage is available for as little as thirty days and for as long as six months. It costs significantly less than COBRA, Clark said, but warned that it is important to note that short term medical covers unexpected illness or injury and does not cover pre-existing medical conditions.

Fortis said that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 15,738 mass layoffs and 1.8 million unemployment filings during 2000. As both categories continued to rise in January 2001, Fortis Health reported that its short term medical sales increased by seventy-seven percent. Despite the spike in sales, Clark stresses the importance of informing more people about the product, which is offered by several other insurance providers as well. "We're trying to get the word out about this product so more people can obtain coverage," she said, adding that Fortis Health short term medical can be purchased online at www.temporaryinsurance.com, through independent insurance agents, or by calling Fortis Health at 800-989-2345.