Health Insurance

Drug spending estimated at $30 billion in 2008

April 16, 2009 - Total drug spending in Canada is estimated to have reached $29.8 billion, or $897 per Canadian, in 2008, according to figures released today by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). This represents an estimated annual growth rate of 8.3%, an increase that exceeds other major health-spending categories, such as hospitals and physicians. In 2008, spending on drugs accounted for 17.4% of total health spending—nearly doubling since 1985 (9.5%). Spending on prescribed drugs continues to grow faster (9.0%) than spending on non-prescribed drugs (4.6%). Prescribed drugs are estimated to have accounted for 84% of total drug spending in 2008.

“Over the last 20 years, drugs have consistently remained one of the major cost drivers in health care,” says Michael Hunt, Manager of Pharmaceutical Programs at CIHI. “Spending on pharmaceuticals has more than doubled over the past 10 years, outpacing growth in health spending by hospitals, physicians and other health professionals.”

Spending on prescribed drugs growing faster in the private sector

For the third consecutive year, private-sector spending on prescribed drugs grew at a faster rate than that in the public sector. Private-sector prescribed drug expenditure reached $12.6 billion in 2007, and is forecast to have reached $14.0 billion in 2008, representing annual growth rates of 11.4% and 11.0%, respectively. Public-sector expenditure on prescribed drugs reached $10.5 billion in 2007, and is forecast to have hit $11.2 billion in 2008, representing annual growth rates of 7.6% and 6.7%, respectively.

The public–private split for total prescribed drug spending remained relatively stable over the past 20 years, with approximately 45% financed by the public sector and 55% financed by the private sector. However, among private-sector spending on prescribed drugs, the share of spending shifted from out-of-pocket spending to private insurers. Spending by private insurers is estimated to have accounted for 67% of private-sector drug spending in 2008, compared to 55% in 1989.

“The economic downturn is resulting in many Canadians losing their jobs. Since many Canadians have private health insurance through their employment it may also mean a loss of private health insurance,” says Hunt. “In light of this situation, it will be important to document what the impact will be on both the public sector as well as out-of-pocket drug spending over the next few years.”

Variation among provinces on prescribed drug spending

Prescribed drug expenditure per person varies across Canada. In 2008, prescribed drug spending per person is estimated to have ranged from $651 in Alberta and $652 in British Columbia to $841 in Quebec and $865 in Nova Scotia.

There is also variation among the provinces in terms of the source of funding for drugs. On average across Canada in 2008, 44% of total spending on prescribed drugs was publicly financed. The proportion of public spending on prescribed drugs ranged from 32% in New Brunswick and 34% in Prince Edward Island to 50% in Quebec and 54% in Saskatchewan. Public-sector spending per person on prescribed drugs ranged from $236 in B.C. and $253 in P.E.I. to $377 in Saskatchewan and $420 in Quebec.

International comparison in drug spending

When comparing 23 countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) with similar health-reporting systems as Canada’s in 2006 (latest available information), Canada had the second-highest level of total per capita drug spending (including prescribed and non-prescribed drugs). The United States had the highest level of 2006 per capita spending ($1,015) followed by Canada ($770) and Belgium ($703)—the position of Canada has been stable over the past few years.

In 2006, Canada was below the OECD median in terms of what proportion of total drug spending was publicly financed. The public share of total drug spending in Canada was 39%, compared to the OECD median of 59%. Among the 23 OECD comparator countries, the share of total drug spending funded by the public sector ranged from 15% in Mexico to 84% in Luxembourg.

About Drug Expenditure in Canada, 1985 to 2008

Drug Expenditure in Canada, 1985 to 2008 provides a descriptive overview of Canadian drug expenditure trends from 1985 to 2006 and includes estimates for 2007 and 2008. Drug expenditure consists of prescribed drugs and non-prescribed products purchased outside hospitals and other health care institutions. The report draws upon data compiled from CIHI’s National Health Expenditure Database, Canada’s most comprehensive source of information on health care financing and spending, as well as Statistics Canada and the OECD.

Consumer Info on Auto Insurance

School's out – ICBC's top tips for keeping kids safe

As the end of the school year approaches, ICBC is reminding drivers and parents about the importance of keeping kids safe during the last week of school and throughout the summer months.

Kids will be excited and may not be thinking about their personal safety so drivers need to be extra cautious in looking for child pedestrians during the summer. Parents should take the opportunity to remind their children about staying safe on the roads.

In 2009, according to ICBC, there were approximately 55 pedestrians, age 5 to 12, injured in 55 incidents in B.C. This means that most incidents result in a child being injured.

Here are ICBC's top tips for drivers and parents:

Tips for drivers:

No. 1 – It's all mixed up: During the last few days of school, kids may be arriving or leaving school at varying times throughout the day. Remember that when school is in session, a 30-km/h school zone speed limit is in effect between 8 am and 5 pm. During the summer months, school zone speed limits change unless summer school is in session.

No. 2 – In the zone: The last week of school is an exciting time for school-aged children, which means that they might be preoccupied and forget the rules of the road. Use extra caution when driving through and around school zones.

No. 3 – Kids all around: Drivers aren't used to seeing crowded playgrounds and parks during the day but this all changes as we welcome in summer. Remember that playground speed limits remain in effect year-round. When driving around playgrounds and parks, observe carefully – small children are less predictable and harder to see than adults.

No. 4 – Watch for clues: In residential areas, a hockey net or ball can mean that kids are playing nearby. Remember that a child could dash into the street at any moment. Pay attention and always anticipate the unexpected.

No. 5 – Back it up: Always watch for children as you're backing up. Before you get into your vehicle, make it a habit to walk around your vehicle to make sure no small kids are behind it. Although they may see you, they most likely don't realize that you don't see them.

Tips for parents:

No. 1 – Focus on the basics: With all of summer's outdoor activities, it's important that parents remind their children about road safety. Give them a refresher on the safety basics that you learned as a child, which are still relevant today. Here are some key points…

Make eye contact: Children must assume that drivers have not seen them whenever they are around roads. Even if the walk signal is on, teach your child to make eye contact with drivers before they cross.

Walk, don't run: Make it clear to your kids that it's never safe to run when crossing a road.

Stop, look, listen: Before crossing the street, always stop at the curb and make sure all vehicles have stopped. Look left and right for oncoming vehicles. Then lookagain over your shoulders for vehicles that might be turning. Listen for approaching traffic that you can't yet see. Teach your kids to keep looking for approaching vehicles as they cross.

No. 2 – Be a role model: Parents are the number one role models for children so make sure you set a perfect example for them. If you are not modelling the behaviour you want your kids to emulate, then don't expect them to be safe around roads. If your child sees you jaywalking, they will think it is okay to do and will do the same thing.

No. 3 – Mark out safe areas: Focus on teaching your kids where to position themselves when they are around roads. Children should always walk on the inside edge of a sidewalk so that they're less exposed to traffic. If walking on the sidewalk isn't an option, teach your kids to always walk facing oncoming traffic so they can see approaching vehicles and make eye contact with drivers.

No. 4 – Don't jaywalk. The most common road safety error made by kids is not finding a safe place to cross. Teach your child to cross at intersections that have a pedestrian crossing light or a marked crosswalk whenever possible.

No. 5 – No shortcuts: When walking with your child, avoid unnecessary shortcuts like walking through a parking lot. Be aware of parked vehicles in a parking lot or on the road. A driver may not see kids between parked cars and kids may not see the cars moving.

Auto insurance

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Auto insurance,in exchange for a premium, will pay for damages incurred as a result of a traffic accident.

Vehicle insurance (also known as auto insurance, car insurance, or motor insurance) is insurance purchased for cars, trucks, and other vehicles. Its primary use is to provide protection against losses incurred as a result of traffic accidents and against liability that could be incurred in an accident.

Third-party vehicle Insurance is a mandatory requirement in Indonesia and each individual car and motorcycle must be insured or the vehicle will not be considered legal. Therefore, a motorist cannot drive the vehicle until it is insured. Third Party vehicle insurance is included through a levy in the vehicle registration fee which is paid to government institution that known as "Samsat". Third-Party Vehicle Insurance is regulated under Act No. 34 Year 1964 Re: Road Traffic Accident Fund and merely covers Bodily injury, and manages by a SOE's named PT. Jasa Raharja (Persero).[5]

In the United States, auto insurance covering liability for injuries and property damage done to others is compulsory in most states, though different states enforce the requirement differently. The state of New Hampshire, for example, does not require motorists to carry liability insurance (the ballpark model), while in Virginia residents must pay the state a $500 annual fee per vehicle if they choose not to buy liability insurance.[10] Penalties for not purchasing auto insurance vary by state, but often involve a substantial fine, license and/or registration suspension or revocation, as well as possible jail time. Usually, the minimum required by law is third party insurance to protect third parties against the financial consequences of loss, damage or injury caused by a vehicle.

Several states, like California and New Jersey, have enacted "Personal Responsibility Acts" which put further pressure on all drivers to carry liability insurance by preventing uninsured drivers from recovering noneconomic damages (e.g. compensation for "pain and suffering") if they are injured in any way while operating a motor vehicle.

Some states, such as North Carolina, require that a driver hold liability insurance before a license can be issued.

Some states require that insurance be carried in the car at all times, while others do not enforce this law. For example, North Carolina does not specify that you must carry proof of insurance in the vehicle; however, NC does state that you must have that information to trade with another driver in the event of an accident. Whether a state specifies you must have proof of insurance in the car or not, it's always advisable to have the information on hand in case an officer should request it.

Arizona Department of Transportation Research Project Manager John Semmens has recommended that car insurers issue license plates, and that they be held responsible for the full cost of injuries and property damages caused by their licensees under the Disneyland model. Plates would expire at the end of the insurance coverage period, and licensees would need to return their plates to their insurance office to receive a refund on their premiums. Vehicles driving without insurance would thus be easy to spot because they would not have license plates, or the plates would be past the marked expiration date.[11]