A software suite from BEA Systems, Inc., San Jose, CA (www.beasys.com) that is used to deploy Web and SOA applications. The core product is BEA WebLogic Server, a Java EE application server. BEA WebLogic Portal is an enterprise portal that offers advanced searching, and BEA WebLogic Integration provides tools for transforming and routing data from multiple sources. BEA WebLogic Enterprise is the integrated development environment (IDE) for the WebLogic family. See BEA Tuxedo.
A doctor, wearing a white masks and an overall, lays on the ground holding signs as several ... [+]
AFP via Getty ImagesAll physicians practicing medicine in the United States are required to pass a series of standardized board exams known as the United States Medical Licensing Exams (USMLE), which consists of the Step 1, Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK), and Step 3 exams. Prior to January 26 of this year, all three test grades were reported as a numeric score in addition to the designation pass or fail. Since January 26th, the USMLE and its sponsors, the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) and the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), have decided to forego a numeric grade for the Step 1 exam, making the score designated only as pass or fail.
The reason for the change? According to Kevin Jubbal, founder of Med School Insiders, the change occurred to Excellerate the well-being of medical students and decrease the stress and anxiety of students surrounding the exam. According to the 2018 National Resident Matching Program’s Program Director Survey, the USMLE Step 1 score was the number one factor used when deciding which candidate to offer an interview for residency training (post-graduate training that occurs for each medical specialty immediately after graduating medical school). This test, often taken between the second and third years of medical school, aims to confirm minimal competency for licensure by testing fundamentals of the basic clinical sciences that are taught in the pre-clinical years of medical school. It is of no surprise that many medical students would often obsess over getting the highest score possible in order to join the career of their choice after medical school graduation.
Has the change to pass/fail of the USMLE Step 1 done what it was intended to do- namely decrease stress and anxiety in medical students? According to the 2021 National Resident Matching Program’s Program Director Survey, 94% of residency programs require a numeric score on the USMLE Step 2 CK test before offering interviews to candidates. According to another study, many residency programs now consider the USMLE Step 2 CK as the primary factor when considering which medical students to offer interviews for residency training. The stress and anxiety many medical students feel has simply shifted from the Step 1 test to the Step 2 CK exam. In other words, the USMLE Step 2 CK test is the new Step 1, when considering medical student well-being and mental health.
According to a study in JAMA Network Open, 50% of medical students are experiencing burnout. Although there has been much attention given to the crisis surrounding the dramatic rise of physician burnout since the Covid-19 pandemic, much less focus has been given to burnout in medical students, the future caregivers and first responders that will care for you and your loved ones. How can we expect future physicians to master clinical medicine and care for the ill when they cannot even care for themselves?
Equally troubling to the detrimental effects of well-being are the racial and ethnic disparities the USMLE brings to underrepresented medical student candidates for residency. According to data from an article in Academic Medicine, Black and Latino medical students are more likely to score lower and/or fail all three USMLE exams when compared to White students. The reason- downstream effect of decades of systemic racism whereby they are provided fewer resources and opportunities to succeed and excel in academics. Consequently, it is much more difficult for underrepresented minorities to receive interview offers in the specialty of their choice when graduating medical school when compared to White students.
The USMLE, NBME, and FSMB have a real opportunity to promote medical student and physician well-being as well as racial equity by addressing scoring on physician licensing exams. Just as they made the Step 1 pass/fail, they must make all USMLE exams pass/fail. This would undoubtedly reduce the enormous stress and anxiety medical students face during their arduous years in school. Furthermore, underrepresented students will perhaps have a fairer shot at pursuing their dream specialties after graduating. Standardized tests are merely one metric and measure for success. Eliminating numeric scores on the USMLE will force residency programs to make a more holistic review of prospective candidates.
Some medical schools are already doing this for medical school admissions. At the University of Maryland School of Medicine, the admissions committee performs holistic screening deemphasizing standardized tests scores, offers unconscious bias training for interviewers, and blinds interviewers to standardized scores; to name a few initiatives. Residency programs throughout the country should follow suit when considering future trainees in their programs. The USMLE, NBME, and FSMB as well as the hundreds of medical training programs throughout the country must start taking care of medical students, who we will all rely upon to take care of us.
Life insurance helps you provide for loved ones after your death. With life insurance policies, your beneficiaries get a cash payment when you're gone, one they can then use toward funeral expenses, unpaid bills or other expenses.
Most insurance companies require a medical exam before they approve you for life insurance coverage. You may be uncomfortable with this, or want to avoid it. Enter no-exam life insurance.
Many kinds of people may find no-exam life insurance appealing. No-exam policies can be smart if you have a pre-existing health condition, terminal illness, are a smoker or have a risky job (like fire fighting or construction).
Or, you may need life insurance as collateral for a loan or a sudden change in marital status like divorce. Seniors may bump up against age limits for some traditional kinds of policies and find no-medical test life insurance worthwhile.
If you think you would benefit from a no-exam life insurance policy then reach out to an insurance pro now. They can help you get started with a free price quote so you know exactly what to expect.
No medical test life insurance comes in both whole life and term life policy forms. Though there's no medical exam, each insurance type may ask for some health information on the application. Premiums are often more expensive than traditional life insurance policies that require medical exams. They can also provide significantly lower coverage. Guaranteed life policies, for instance, are often $25,000 in coverage or less.
Types of no-exam life insurance policies to know
The first step in getting no-medical test insurance is deciding what kind is right for you. Here are four main types
- Simplified issue: This insurance is often for people, including seniors, who are generally in good health but may have a few chronic health issues or medical conditions. The application typically includes a short health questionnaire.
- Guaranteed issue: These life insurance policies are aimed at older seniors or those who are in poor health. They don't require a medical test and ensure a comparatively small death benefit for your beneficiaries. A few medical questions may be required.
- Accelerated underwriting: Sometimes called "instant" life insurance, this type uses artificial intelligence to gather and analyze data in lieu of a physical exam. Insurers may seek information like prescription history, driving records or previous medical exams to determine risk and cost. You may also be asked to fill out a detailed questionnaire or do a phone interview. The method can cut approval time from days or weeks to hours.
- Group life insurance: If you're working, your employer may also offer group life insurance policies without requiring a medical exam, sometimes for free. The drawback? You likely lose coverage if you leave or lose your job.
If you think you would benefit from having a no-exam life insurance policy then reach out to a professional now or use the table below to start searching for providers.
Finding a provider for no-exam life insurance
Seek advice from an insurance agent, your financial adviser, or another expert before you apply in order to be certain that no-exam life insurance is the best option for you.
From there:
- Shop around for several quotes. Coverage and premiums can vary widely.
- If you are a veteran, check the U.S. Veterans Administration for lower-cost providers.
- If you are working, check to see if your employer is offering group life insurance.
- Consider whether a whole life or term life type of policy is right for your circumstances.
- Seek out customer reviews and complaints to review.
Filling out the application
Once you've decided on a no-exam life insurance provider, you'll need to fill out an application. Depending on the policy type, you can expect:
- Some basic questions, including those about your weight, date of birth, lifestyle habits such as smoking, drinking, recreational drug use, exercise and activities like extreme sports.
- Details of your health history and medication use (except with most guaranteed life insurance applications, which can be pricey).
- A request for financial information such as income and credit history.
- A request letter from your primary care doctor about your health.
Be honest with your answers. A life insurance company can deny coverage or payout if you aren't being truthful on your application, like if you lie about smoking.
Follow the instructions to submit your application. Once you've submitted, it can take just hours for accelerated underwriting approval to weeks depending on the type of no-exam policy you're seeking.
Financial Success And Why Its Important..?
By: Vineet Somani
So First OF All What is Financial Success?
The “Merriam-Webster” dictionary defines success as “a favourable or desired outcome”. So, financial success means achieving a desirable outcome for one’s money and finances.
SO Why Its Important ?
Because without enough money and resources, financial success is not possible. Life may be incredibly challenging.
Since living pay check to pay check is not enjoyable. And stress about having enough money each month to pay the bills. to provide for our families’ fundamental requirements in terms of food, housing, and transportation.
moreover, with one’s finances in order. Concentrating on the other things is simpler. That somewhat improves life.
Because of an old proverb that I believe to be absolutely accurate. “There is more to life than money” is the phrase. Relationships, health, and cherished experiences are a few examples.
So, by making personal finance improvements. Your life can be made better.
These advice for financial success are crucial because of this.
having learned the meaning and significance of financial achievement. Let’s discuss the key components that will help you get there.
Keys To Financial Success
· Open a savings account
· Don’t get complacent with your current income
· Spend less than you earn
· Good handle on debt
· Investing for a secure retirement
Obtaining life insurance can help you pass money on to your family or other beneficiaries after your death. But not all life insurance policies are the same. Not only can there be differences in factors like monthly premiums and policy limits, but there can also be varying requirements to qualify for a life insurance policy.
One route that some people take is obtaining a no-exam life insurance policy, meaning you don't have to visit a doctor to be eligible. If you don't want to make an extra trip to the doctor's office or you're concerned the test results could lead to even higher costs, then this may be a reasonable option.
Here's a look at some of the top life insurance providers available.
Before you make any final decisions, let's take a closer look at what no-exam life insurance policies are — and why you might consider going this route.
What is no-exam life insurance?
No-exam life insurance can include several different types of life insurance that do not require medical exams to initiate coverage. Here are two examples:
- Simplified issue life insurance: This type of insurance can be for either term life insurance or whole life insurance. As the name implies, these policies follow a simplified process. Rather than needing a medical exam, you can answer a few basic questions and get a decision online in just a few minutes.
- Guaranteed issue life insurance: This type of policy typically applies to permanent life policies. This is geared more toward those with health conditions and who may be older, so they can benefit those who want a ensure to qualify, rather than being rejected following a medical exam. However, these policies typically have a waiting period of a couple of years, meaning the benefits might not kick in for someone who dies shortly after applying.
How to get a no-exam life insurance policy
To get a no-exam life insurance policy, you can search online for simplified or guaranteed issue policies, which are relatively common. You can also dig into the offerings of different insurance companies, as even if an insurance provider uses different terminology, they might still allow for coverage without an exam.
To learn more about different types of life insurance policies and options, speak to an expert. Haven Life, a New York City-based life insurance agency, can walk you through the process. You just need to answer a few basic questions to get a free quote.
Don't assume that just because something isn't specifically called a "no-exam life insurance policy" you need an exam. Regardless of what the provider calls the policy, check the fine print to see if you need a medical test or not.
Some providers also offer options like being able to convert a term life insurance policy into a whole life insurance policy without needing a medical exam. That's not to say that you're always better off converting vs. taking out a new policy, but it could be worth considering.
How much does no-exam life insurance cost?
No-exam life insurance policies typically cost much more than ones with medical exams. That's because the insurer needs to account for the extra risk that can come from not knowing enough about your medical situation.
For example, with one major life insurance provider, a simplified issue life insurance policy for a 20-year/$500,000 term for a 40-year-old, non-smoker woman in good health in California costs nearly $50 per month. In contrast, the same type of policy for regular term life insurance with a medical test only has an estimated cost of $30 in monthly payments.
You can also compare prices and plans by scouring life insurance providers online and getting free quotes.
Is no-exam life insurance worth it?
There can be a cost to the convenience of no-exam life insurance policies. But it's also possible that the economics work out in your favor. It's possible that something would be discovered during a medical test that increases your risk to the insurer, thereby raising your rates or perhaps even making you ineligible altogether. No-exam life insurance policies can also benefit those who don't qualify for typical life insurance due to factors such as age or medical history.
However, if you're in relatively good health, meet a prospective insurer's age requirements and are comfortable seeing a doctor, then this type of insurance may not be for you — as you may secure a lower price with the medical exam.
Bottom line
Overall, a no-exam life insurance policy can offer a path for some higher-risk individuals to obtain life insurance or it could be a good way to quickly obtain coverage. However, you might be able to find lower rates if you go through with a medical exam, so it could be worth exploring your options to see what best fits your budget and goals.
September 16, 1939 ~ November 11, 2022
Beatrice J. “Bea” Gratz, age 83, of Viroqua, WI, and formerly of Readstown, WI, passed away Friday, November 11, 2022. She was born on the home farm between Readstown and Soldiers Grove on September 16, 1939, the daughter of Carlyle and Ella (Ellefson) Hanson. Bea graduated from West Lima High School and went on to marry David Gratz on June 10, 1959. She farmed with her
Beatrice J. “Bea” Gratz
husband for many years before going to work as a CNA at Sannes Skogdalen Heim Nursing Home in Soldiers Grove. Bea was an avid gardener who especially enjoyed growing flowers on the farm. She also liked spending time with her daughters at the camper and going on road trips along the river road between La Crosse and Prairie du Chien. Bea spent free time at the casino and had a system for knowing exactly which one of the slot machines would be a winner. She also enjoyed relaxing with her neighbors for cards and a good game of euchre. Bea was a nurturing person who took great pleasure in cooking for her family and constantly making sure they were all well fed.
Bea is survived by her children: Doug Gratz, Kevin (Lisa) Gratz, Ellen Anderson, and Victoria (Jay) Ruud; nine grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; a great-great grandson; and two sisters: Ellanora Jackson and Bernice Johnson.
In addition to her parents, Bea was preceded in death by her husband, David, in 2009; two grandchildren: Jenny Gratz and Ethan Anderson; and three siblings: Lars (Lorraine) Hanson, Alice (Chuck) Anderson, and Hilda Rockwell.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 26, 2022 at Thorson-Popp Funeral and Cremation Services in Viroqua. Visitation will be on Saturday, November 26, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Thorson-Popp Funeral and Cremation Services in Viroqua is entrusted with her services.
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