• Dental plans: The middle child of employee benefits
• Longevity of U.S. Population Increases Need for Mortality Information at Older Ages
• Study Finds Cancer Diagnosis Linked to Insurance
• Medicare will not pay for preventable errors
• Choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan
• Baby Boomers Confused About Medicare
• Ten Tips Regarding Health Insurance and Retirement from the NAIC
• Exercise Corner: Spring Training Fitness Tips
• Recipe Corner: Ultimate Twice Baked

Much study has been conducted about the order in which children are born and how order influences their parents, and impacts the child’s life. Overshadowed siblings, many times the “middle child,” are typically the focus of these studies and seem to often be neglected and misunderstood.

Why bring this up? Well, similarly, dental benefits can also be viewed as an “overshadowed sibling” in the “family of employee benefits.” With the medical industry attracting the greatest amount of attention, little time is spent closely examining dental plans — and any creativity that can be built into its product offerings. However, producers and employers who take a little extra time to spend with dental benefits will find a creative benefit that is sensitive to the needs of employers, employees and their family members.

Neglected and misunderstood

The middle child can often have the sense of not belonging. They fight to receive attention from parents and others because they often feel ignored. Perhaps the same is true for dental plans. The annual battle to stave off medical cost increases is both frustrating and laborious; but absolutely necessary in order to keep the rest of the employee benefit family together. Medical insurance is the proverbial “first born,” and garners the time and energy of producers and employers alike; leaving the other siblings (i.e., dental benefits) neglected and misunderstood.

After all, employers normally don’t have big problems with their dental plan, so they just keep it the way it is. The dental middle child seeks appreciation and approval through lower cost volatility and consistent performance. Yet, employers often complain that dental is stagnant. Annual maximums, for example, have hardly increased at all over the past decade. The fact is —parents of the dental middle child are just too exhausted from dealing with the older sibling at the end of the day. They promise, however, to spend more time with dental next year.

Being the middle child can harbor feelings of insecurity. Producers, willing only to look at traditional 100/80/50, reasonable and customary designs force dental plans to compete on price. All the while, employers ask employees to contribute more and more premium to keep the dental plan in the family.

Emerging from the shadow of the “first child”

The middle child, however, can be very artistic and creative. Producers who look beyond the typical “100/80/50” plan design will find a wide range of creative options to achieve optimal price points for employers and maximum benefits and participation for employees.

Managed care plans have received recognition, but are they really utilized to their maximum potential? Are employees encouraged to use PPO networks through in-network versus out-of-network plans differentials? Can maximum allowable cost plans provide cost control, yet still maintain employee plan satisfaction?

Yet there’s so much more dental can offer. High/low dual option plans provide a way for employees with different needs and ability to pay to participate in the benefit plan. Schedule reimbursement and hybrid plans can teach employers that they can maintain their premium contribution and employee satisfaction, while helping control future cost increases. They can also help welcome a dental plan into a family of employee benefits, where one did not previously exist.

If encouraged to use their abilities, the middle child will work well. The medical first born is struggling to find a way to be consumer driven. The dental middle child has been consumer-driven practically from its birth. And, while the inevitability of cost-shifting plagues human resource professionals, dental plan options provide a wide range of ways to assist employers in this effort. New employee waiting periods, effective service category modifications, and enhanced frequency limitations are all capabilities of dental plans that are frequently overlooked in the annual benefit review.

Creating their own identity

The middle child should make it a priority to establish their own likes and dislikes and outside relationships, all of which help strengthen identity and set them apart from siblings. Dental plans are coming into their own with a number of innovations that will create a new identity — and reasons for producers and employers alike to begin paying closer attention. Annual maximum benefit accumulators create additional benefits when employees truly need them. Increasing amounts and levels of coverage for implants, TMJ and cosmetic dentistry — previously not covered by dental plans — represent a response to the voice of the consumer. And, the oral health links to overall health are just beginning to show how important a link dental can be to other benefits.

Equally appealing and likely the most important quality of dental plans is prevention. Full coverage for preventive services (exams, cleanings, x-rays, etc.) encourage regular trips to the dentist, which help to prevent future, more costly services and maintain good oral health. Dental plan designs that provide preventive coverage yet are affordable (even when the employee pays the cost), encourage the highest participation and produce the best overall contribution to the family of benefits.

As a producer, you should think about your client’s family benefit situation. Is it time for you to review your clients' dental plans? Have you taken advantage of all that's possible in the market to allow creativity for this important and highly utilized employee benefit? In times when medical plans continue to dominate the employee benefits decisions, a little time spent with dental benefits can go a long way.

Source: Producersweb.com, January 30, 2008

Towers Perrin Releases Second Tillinghast Study on Older Age Mortality, Which Provides Experience Data, New Insights

The demographics of consumers who buy life insurance have shifted considerably, with purchases at older ages now surpassing overall demand for life insurance in the U.S. This shift has prompted insurers to seek more information about the aging population. Thus, in the second Tillinghast Older Age Mortality Study (TOAMS 2), released today, the Tillinghast insurance consulting practice of Towers Perrin addresses the need for experience data based on older ages and provides new insights for insurers. The study includes data from 29 life insurance companies from 2003 to 2005.

“After we released TOAMS in 2005, which was the industry’s most comprehensive study to date, we found an overwhelming market need for further study about older-age mortality,” said Mike Taht, Principal at Towers Perrin. “Recent research by the MIB Group, Inc. reported that 2007 life insurance sales were up 4.3% over 2006 for ages 60 and older, while sales among the 45 to 59 age group declined.” The MIB Life Index is the life insurance industry’s timeliest measure of application activity across the U.S. and Canada.

According to Mr. Taht: “From 2000 to 2005, there has been a $6.6 billion increase in exposures in the TOAMS studies at issue ages 75 and above, which reflects an overwhelming increase in sales activity at the very high issue ages. In fact, for some companies, sales at issue ages over 70 represent 30% of all universal life premiums sold -- a statistic unheard of five years ago.”

TOAMS 2 includes data and analysis that give insurers the tools they need to appropriately address trends in life expectancy, changes in underwriting and adjustments in product offering, pricing and expansion. The study’s findings can also provide guidance on common challenges facing the insurance industry, such as determining mortality levels, gender assumptions, mortality at higher face amounts, preferred risk discounts, cause of death indicators and product-type variation.

Said Mr. Taht: “We now know there are significant implications for insurance companies that misestimate mortality at older ages, and our research is helping insurers by better informing the decision-making process so costly mistakes can be avoided.”

Key findings of the study include:

• Overall mortality in TOAMS 2 was 74% of 2001 Valuation Basic Mortality Table (VBT), as compared to 78% of 2001 VBT for TOAMS. Mortality for males was 73% of 2001 VBT for males and 77% of 2001 VBT for females. There was also some variance in experience by duration. Expressed as a percent of the SOA 1975-80 mortality tables, male experience was 51% of the SOA 75-80 and female experience was 71% of the SOA 75-80, and there was considerably more variance in experience by issue age and policy duration as compared to experience measured against 2001 VBT.
• Life insurance companies have traditionally used a percentage of either the SOA 75-80 or 2001 VBT in pricing. The results of TOAMS 2 highlight the need for pricing actuaries to be more refined in their determination of pricing mortality. This is especially important for companies providing products at the older issue ages. For those companies using the SOA 75-80 as a base for pricing at older issue ages, there is considerable risk of inaccurate pricing unless significant variations to the table are made.
• Preferred nonsmoker mortality continues to be very favorable. In aggregate, preferred nonsmoker mortality was 58% of 2001 VBT by face amount and 60% of 2001 VBT by policy count.
• In TOAMS 2, mortality results after the level-term period for 10-year term business was available. Mortality in policy years 11 through 15 was 215% of mortality in policy years 6 through 10. Also of note, on a policy duration basis, mortality deterioration was observed beginning in policy year 10, evidence that anti-selective lapses may begin prior to the end of the level-term period.
• Heart disease and cancer continue to be the two leading causes of death in the insurance industry, consistent with the general population. In early policy year durations, cancer is the primary cause of death, while in later policy durations, heart disease dominates. Early duration mortality experience could be enhanced by new techniques in identifying poor cancer risks.

Source: Business Wire, February 11, 2008

A nationwide study has found that the uninsured and those covered by Medicaid are more likely than those with private insurance to receive a diagnosis of cancer in late stages, often diminishing their chances of survival.

The study by researchers with the American Cancer Society also found that blacks had a higher risk of late diagnosis, even after accounting for their disproportionately high rates of being uninsured and underinsured. The study’s authors speculated that the disparity might be caused by a lack of health literacy and an inadequate supply of providers in minority communities. The study is to be published online Monday in The Lancet Oncology.

Previous studies have shown a correlation between insurance status and the stage of diagnosis for particular cancers. The new research is the first to examine a dozen major cancer types and to do so nationally with the most current data. It mined the National Cancer Data Base, which began collecting information about insurance in the late 1990s, to analyze 3.7 million patients who received diagnoses from 1998 to 2004.

The widest disparities were noted in cancers that could be detected early through standard screening or assessment of symptoms, like breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer and melanoma. For each, uninsured patients were two to three times more likely to be diagnosed in Stage III or Stage IV rather than Stage I. Smaller disparities were found for non-Hodgkins lymphoma and cancers of the bladder, kidney, prostate, thyroid, uterus, ovary and pancreas.

When comparing blacks to whites, the disparities in late-stage diagnosis were statistically significant for 10 of the 12 cancers. Hispanics also had a higher risk but less so than blacks.
The study’s authors concluded that “individuals without private insurance are not receiving optimum care in terms of cancer screening or timely diagnosis and follow-up with health care providers.” Advanced-stage diagnosis, they wrote, “leads to increased morbidity, decreased quality of life and survival and, often, increased costs.”

The study cites previous research that shows patients receiving a diagnosis of colon cancer in Stage I have a five-year survival rate of 93 percent, compared with 44 percent at Stage III and 8 percent at Stage IV.

“There’s evidence that not having insurance increases suffering,” said Dr. Otis W. Brawley, the American Cancer Society’s chief medical officer.

Not all cancer researchers believe that comprehensive screening and early detection is universally constructive. They argue that with certain cancers, like melanoma and prostate cancer, it can lead to misdiagnosis and overdiagnosis, with doctors identifying and treating tumors that may never cause serious problems. In some of those cases, surgery and drug therapies may actually shorten lives.

“Do these findings mean that patients without insurance are being diagnosed too late, or that insured patients are being excessively diagnosed?” said Dr. H. Gilbert Welch, a professor at Dartmouth who studies the usefulness of medical procedures. “And if it does mean that too many are being diagnosed late, we don’t know if it’s the problem of not being insured or a problem of cultural norms and patient education.”

Dr. Brawley said that the cancer society, the largest and wealthiest of the disease-centered philanthropies, received no more than 5 percent of its $1 billion in revenues from corporate donations, including some from medical suppliers and drug-makers that stood to profit from expanded screening. He said the group had rejected contributions from companies it considered directly connected to its research, and that he saw no conflict in the study on cancer and insurance.

The cancer society, Dr. Brawley said, has been conservative in its screening recommendations, which vary by cancer type and age. The study’s results, he said, would encourage broader screening for breast, colon and cervical cancers, where early detection has reduced death rates, but not necessarily for other cancers.

Source: New York Times, February 18, 2008

In long term care news, As of Oct. 1, Medicare, which insures about 44 million elderly and disabled people, will no longer pay for extra-care costs for preventable hospital errors — a move that will save the government about $190 million over five years.

Currently, when a hospital makes a preventable error, it is still reimbursed for the extra treatment, even though some errors can cost an additional $10,000 to $100,000, according to reports.

The eight preventable hospital errors — including catheter-caused urinary tract infections, injuries from falls, and leaving objects in the body after surgery — are just the beginning, as Medicare will next year add three additional errors to the no-pay list, according to reports.

Finally, it is reported that hospitals cannot bill the injured patient for extra costs incurred as a result of preventable errors either.

Source: ProducersWeb.com, February 19, 2008

Medicare Advantage plans are popular. They are the private-company version of the federal government's Medicare program. And 9.2 million people enrolled in 2007, continuing an upward trend. But some plans' practices can hurt the quality of your care and boost your costs. The best defense is to learn the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage plans in advance.

Twenty percent of Medicare enrollees are in Medicare Advantage plans. The other 80% are in original Medicare, which is the federal health insurance program.

Why choose a private plan? They tend to be less expensive. And they can provide more coverage.
But private plans can pose problems. Illinois Insurance Director Michael McRaith says insurance regulators nationwide often get reports of misleading marketing.

Original Medicare is like traditional health insurance. You choose your doctors and hospitals. But all costs aren't covered. The gaps include 20% of doctors' bills. Many people also buy Medigap insurance to fill out their coverage.

In addition, original Medicare enrollees can buy a prescription drug plan. So total out-of-pocket costs can be substantial. Medicare Advantage plans include Medigap-type benefits, so you don't need to buy Medigap. And many Advantage plans include prescription drugs. So you may not need to buy a drug plan. Required per-visit or per-prescription payments can be modest in a Medicare Advantage plan.

Altogether, your total costs often will be lower with Medicare Advantage than they would be with original Medicare plus a Medigap policy plus a drug plan. And Medicare Advantage plans tend to offer extra benefits. Some offer preventive care, vision and dental services, which are not covered by Medicare or Medigap.

Hidden Hassles

A Medicare Advantage plan generally can't deny an application based on your health. They usually don't conduct screens or exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions. With all of those advantages, what is the catch?

Some Advantage plans are HMOs. All Advantage plans often give care through an HMO-like network of providers. You see doctors whom the plans designate. You go to hospitals they specify. You can go outside the network, but you're responsible for any extra bills. And you may need a primary care physician referral to see a specialist. Getting coverage when you're away from home can be hard, too. Also, McRaith says some sales agents engage in unscrupulous or abusive practices. Some pressure seniors to enroll in unsuitable plans. Some mislead people about an Advantage plan's provider network. Some agents for private plans have told seniors they could see any doctor they wished. Then enrollees discovered that few if any doctors had agreed to the terms of that plan.

So these seniors were paying premiums for the plan but had scant options for treatment. In other cases, seniors have been misled about a Medicare Advantage plan's cost-sharing arrangements. Members get hit with higher co-pays than they expect.

Advantage enrollees sometimes pay more than they would in original Medicare. That can occur if a patient has a long hospital stay. Some Advantage plans levy hospital co-pays up to $300 a day. With original Medicare, you pay just a $1,024 deductible through 60 hospital days. Some marketers don't explain all of an Advantage plan's risks. Per capita payments from the government can be cut back.

In response, some plans cut services or jack up cost-sharing co-pays. Advantage plans can drop out of Medicare if they can't make a profit. Enrollees must scramble to make other arrangements, which many find stressful, notes Caring.com. So do your homework before deciding about Medicare. If you're interested in Medicare Advantage, read the fine print in the contract. Details vary a lot from plan to plan. And be prepared to bail out in case you're not happy.

The general rule is you can switch among Advantage plans and original Medicare from Nov. 15 to Dec. 31 each year. So that's your basic escape plan from an unsatisfactory Medicare Advantage plan.

Window Now Open

You also are allowed one switch from Jan. 1 to March 31 each year. But you cannot add or drop prescription drug coverage then. Say you are enrolled in an Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage. Before March 31, you can switch to original Medicare but you'd also have to sign up for a Medicare prescription drug plan. You could drop it in November if you want. Besides those two windows, you may be able to get a special OK to leave a plan. That would be the case if you move out of the coverage area. You also can exit a Medicare Advantage plan that fails to live up to its promises or if you were misled into signing up. But those claims can be hard to prove. So look hard before leaping into Advantage.

Source: Investor’s Business Daily, February 22, 2008

The first waves of baby boomers turn 62 this year and begin claiming Social Security benefits. And, according to new research from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), many are confused about their post-retirement health insurance options, including their Medicare eligibility.

The NAIC's national survey of 377 baby boomers -- Americans born between 1946 and 1964 -- found that only 36 percent correctly knew that Medicare eligibility begins at age 65. Twenty-one percent thought Medicare coverage began at age 62; 9 percent said age 67; 6 percent said age 59 1/2; and 28 percent said they were unsure of the age.

The NAIC survey also found: -- A large majority of baby boomers -- 84 percent -- said that access to health insurance was important when choosing a retirement date. -- However, only 43 percent said that Medicare eligibility was an important factor in determining when they would retire. -- But nearly half -- 48 percent -- said they expected to use Medicare to cover their healthcare needs during retirement. This number increased to 57 percent among older baby boomers, those 55-62 years of age.

The NAIC survey also revealed a considerable lack of familiarity with Medicare's coverage options. Sixty-six percent of respondents said they were "not very familiar" or "not at all familiar" with options such as Medicare Part B, Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare prescription drug coverage and Medicare supplement (Medigap) insurance. This number jumped to 72 percent among younger baby boomers, those 44-54 years of age.

A high level of concern about Medicare's viability also added to the confusion. Eighty-two percent of those surveyed said they were concerned that future funding for Medicare might not be sufficient to provide the healthcare services they anticipate needing throughout their retirement.

"Clearly, there is much confusion and concern among baby boomers regarding their future access to Medicare," said NAIC President and Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger. "Many boomers incorrectly think Medicare coverage is available at age 62, when they initially become eligible for Social Security benefits. With growing concerns about health insurance costs and access, these aging members of our society need to be better educated about Medicare's timing and entitlements so that they can make informed retirement decisions."

Understanding the Basics of Medicare

Medicare is the largest health insurance program in the nation, covering more than 40 million Americans. The federally funded program is available to Americans 65 years of age and older, regardless of their eligibility for Social Security retirement benefits.

Some Americans younger than 65 may qualify for Medicare, depending on their physical health. For example, those who are disabled may be eligible before reaching their 65th birthday.

Medicare is divided into four parts, each with different coverage options, including hospital insurance (Part A), medical insurance (Part B), Medicare Advantage (Part C) and prescription drug coverage (Part D). Although many Americans do not pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A, individuals seeking additional coverage options under Parts B, C and D typically pay a monthly premium.

"Baby boomers need to get smart about their health insurance needs when planning for retirement," said NAIC Executive Vice President and CEO Catherine J. Weatherford. "Consumers should take the time to familiarize themselves with Medicare by visiting the federal government's Web site, http://www.medicare.gov/. We also encourage baby boomers to visit the NAIC's Insure U Web site, http://www.insureuonline.org/, to get additional information on their health insurance needs."

Source: The Earth Times, February 26, 2008

1. Plan ahead for your retirement health insurance needs. Americans are eligible for Medicare at age 65, so take this into consideration if you plan to retire at an earlier age.

2. If you plan to retire from your job before the age of 65 and are not eligible for Medicare, check to see if you are eligible for COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act). COBRA is a federal law that typically entitles you to continue your employer's health insurance coverage for up to 18 months. Check with your state insurance department to learn about COBRA laws in your state.

3. If you are not eligible for COBRA, you might want to consider a catastrophic or high-deductible medical plan, which typically carries lower premiums than other individual policies. Keep in mind that people with serious pre-existing health problems -- such as heart disease, diabetes or multiple sclerosis -- typically cannot get catastrophic health insurance.

4. Before you become eligible for Medicare, you might want to consider purchasing a major medical plan to cover doctors' visits, drugs and hospital care. These plans, which can vary in costs and medical benefits, include indemnity plans, preferred provider organization (PPO) plans, health maintenance organization (HMO) plans and point-of service (POS) plans.

5. Take time when researching individual health insurance plans and learn what kind of policies will provide the coverage you need - then pick the one best for you. Shop around and ask a lot of questions. To avoid purchasing a fraudulent health insurance plan, call your state insurance department and find out whether the insurance agent and company are licensed in your state. Information about how to contact your state insurance department can be found on the NAIC Web site, http://www.naic.org/state_web_map.htm.

6. If you are 65 years of age or older and will be using Medicare as your primary health insurance, make sure you understand the different coverage options available to you. When enrolling, you will need to decide whether you want traditional Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. Before purchasing a Medicare Advantage plan, find out which hospitals and doctors are in-network.

7. When enrolling in Medicare, you might want to consider purchasing a separate Medicare supplement (Medigap) insurance policy to pay for medical/hospital expenses and deductibles not covered by Medicare. Contact Medicare, http://www.medicare.gov/, for a list of approved Medicare supplement (Medigap) insurance providers.

8. When choosing Medicare options, you might also want to consider enrolling in prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D), which will help pay for the cost of medications prescribed by your doctor during treatment. Keep in mind, if you choose to waive this coverage during enrollment, but enroll at a later date, you will pay a penalty fee.

9. Be wary of health discount cards. Discount cards are not insurance! If you are considering the purchase of a health discount card, investigate whether company is legitimate and whether any complaints have been filed against them. Also research what types of services the discount card covers and whether your physician/dentist accepts the discount card. Contact your state insurance department, attorney general's office and/or Better Business Bureau for more information.

10. Consider purchasing long-term care coverage. This type of insurance covers the cost of services for nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and in-home caregivers when individuals are unable to perform activities of daily living - such as eating, dressing and bathing. However, long-term care insurance isn't for everyone. If you are currently receiving Social Security or expect to have minimal or no retirement savings, you will likely qualify for state aid and should not purchase long-term care insurance. Be wary of advertising that suggests Medicare is associated with a long-term care policy. Medicare does not endorse or sell long-term care insurance.

Source: The Earth Times, February 26, 2008

How to ease back into shape this spring and summer

After a long winter of reduced activity or inactivity you might be tempted to get outside and train as soon as the weather improves. You may also be tempted to exercise at the same level you did at the end of the last season. But such enthusiasm often leads to early season injuries. If you changed your routine for the winter, you need to get back into shape slowly. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you head out the door this spring.

• Slow but Steady. Don’t succumb to the weekend warrior syndrome. Try to get some exercise 3-4 times per week on alternate days. One of the best ways to get injured or sore is to go hard all weekend and do nothing during the week. 
• Monitor Your Level of Exertion. Use the perceived exertion scale, the talk test, or the heart rate range to help you 
• Increase Your Training Slowly. Increasing training (mileage, time or amount of weight lifted) more than 10 percent per week increases your risk of injury. To avoid this, increase your training gradually over the weeks. 
• Avoid All-Out Efforts Until You Build a Solid Base of Fitness. Depending upon how much inactivity you had over the winter, it could take as long as 6 weeks to re-establish a solid fitness base. Start your exercise program with slow, steady aerobic sessions. When you add intervals or all-out efforts, make sure you allow enough rest and recovery (at least 48 hours) between those hard effort training days. 
• Follow a Training Program and Keep Records. If you really want to build back up to optimal fitness, it helps to establish a training plan and stick with it. There are many training programs for all types of sports and having one is not only good motivation, but it helps keep you from doing too much too soon. 
• Cut Yourself Some Slack. If you took the winter off, don't expect to be back to peak fitness in a week or two. It's ok to go slow and just enjoy being outside again. There's plenty of summer left, so don't worry about going a bit slower in the beginning. 
• Train With Others at Your Fitness Level. If you can find a few people with the same fitness level and goals as you it can help kept you progressing at a good pace. Training with those who are farther along will only encourage you to overdo it, get injured or feel ‘behind’ in your training. Workouts with more fit people can be motivating and help you improve, but only after you have a good solid base to work with. Otherwise they can be harmful. 
• Remember to Have Fun. Keep in mind that this is Spring Training which is a time for fun, light-hearted exercise. You aren't competing and you aren't burnt out yet. So just relax and enjoy your activity.

Source: About.com, March 5, 2008

"I made these up years ago and have been making them ever since. They are always a big hit. These potatoes make a wonderful side dish for any meal and are terrific heated up the next day for lunch."

PREP TIME 15 Min
COOK TIME 1 Hr 15 Min
READY IN 1 Hr 30 Min

INGREDIENTS

• 4 large baking potatoes 
• 8 slices bacon 
• 1 cup sour cream 
• 1/2 cup milk 
• 4 tablespoons butter 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper 
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, divided 
• 8 green onions, sliced, divided

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 
2. Bake potatoes in preheated oven for 1 hour. 
3. Meanwhile, place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside. 
4. When potatoes are done allow them to cool for 10 minutes. Slice potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop the flesh into a large bowl; save skins. To the potato flesh add sour cream, milk, butter, salt, pepper, 1/2 cup cheese and 1/2 the green onions. Mix with a hand mixer until well blended and creamy. Spoon the mixture into the potato skins. Top each with remaining cheese, green onions and bacon. 
5. Bake for another 15 minutes.

Source: Employee Benefit Advisor, January 8, 2008