The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-14
REVISE HEALTH AND ACCIDENT
 POLICY RATES

Revision of health and accident in- surance policies so as to decrease the benefits is under consideration by the health and accident underwriters as a substitute for a proposed increase in rates An increase of 24 per cent. in the rates charged for existing con- tracts is held to be necessary if the full benefits are continued.
 Increased losses under the liberal forms now sold by most of the com panies is assigned as the reason for higher rates or a revision of terms The policies now sold have been de- veloped to the point of extremest Hber- ality and it is contended that rev1s- ion reducing the liberal. conditions will take the place of an increase in rates and permit the companies to continue in business on profitable basis.
 The fight for revision of the terms of the accident and health form has been in progress for years but never has been anywhere near suc- cess. Some companies specialize in this form of policies and have intro duced forms of policies which other companies are unable to meet or he's itate to duplicate. The experience of the liberal companies during the last two years has been bad and many of them are willing to discuss an increase of rates, but not a revision of policy conditions.
 With an increase of rates the Hb- eral form companies would be able to compete with the other companies on practically the same basis as that upon which they now compete, but with a standard form of policy these companies would jeopardize the busi- ness in which they have specialized 1t is argued.
 For these reasons it is believed there is little prospect that impor- tant revisions of policy terms can be brought about. Those who favor re- concessions.
 The question has been submitted to a committee of 15 representative companies and this committee will make a strong effort to bring about a reform helpful enough to render an increase of rates unnecessary If the committee fails to agree on revision a further effort to bring about an in- crease of rates Is expected. Increased losses under the policies now sold have resulted from many of the feature" terms of the contracts and friends of revision say these can be eliminated without serious changes in the basic conditions of the con-
 
 tremendously to the costs of accidents, The increase in automobile accidents already has resulted in a revision of | the contracts of some companies These companies require an increase of premium for full coverage of au- tomobile accidents or offer a decrease | in the standard rate where the auto- mobile hazard is eliminated. Other 'feature'' benefits which have resulted in increased costs in- clude double hospital indemnity, in. creased surgical fees, full indemnity for non-conf1nement and other bene- fits that have been introduced in the business as talking points, on ac- count of the pressure of competi- ton.
 If revision is decided upon the com- | panies will experience little difficulty | in putting them into operation, for the | contracts sold are annual contracts renewable or not at the discretion o1 the company. Whatever revision is de- cided upon is, not expected to inter- fere greatly with the sale of con tracts for the basic benefits will be continued.