Bankers Life and Casualty Company Joins LifePlans, Inc. and the Department of Health and Human Services to Launch Fall Prevention Program Study For America...( CHICAGO Jan. 17 /- Bankers Life a...),Health

CHICAGO, Jan. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Bankers Life and Casualty Company has joined LifePlans, Inc. and the United States Department of Health and Human Services in implementing a study with senior Americans on fall prevention.

"Over thirty-percent of adults over age 65 fall each year, and falls are a leading cause of injury deaths and the most common cause of nonfatal injuries," said Scott Perry, president of Bankers, a health and life insurance company specializing in seniors. "The majority of falls - which are preventable - occur at home and are a chief contributor to nursing home admissions and long-term care claim costs. It's essential that America's seniors have the insight and knowledge to prevent falls."

With the retirement of the Baby Boomers, the cost for providing long-term care will be a major expense for American households, insurers, states and the federal government. The cost of all fall injuries for people age 65 or older is estimated to be near $36 billion in 2008, and is expected to reach $44 billion by 2020. Well-targeted fall prevention programs can have a significant impact on improving customer satisfaction through the maintenance of a safe environment and independent living, in addition to improving the financial performance of an insurer's block of business

The study, commencing in February 2008 and running two-to-four years, will include a sample of the insurer's long-term care policyholders. Participation will be voluntary. The program will assess the policyholder's fall risks and outline an action plan for the policyholder to follow. Periodic follow-ups and coordination with the policyholder's primary care physician will also be part of the program, and will enable evaluation for measuring the impact of the program.

LifePlans, which specializes in creating products and services for long- term care clients, spent three years researching and designing a model program with the Department of Health and Human Servic
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