Colonial Supplemental Insurance is encouraging employers to offer group hospital confinement indemnity insurance by easing underwriting rules.[@@]

Colonial, Columbia, S.C., a unit of UnumProvident Corp., Chattanooga, Tenn., says it will reduce the participation requirement to 15 employees or 15% of employees, whichever is greater.

Colonial will waive preexisting condition requirements for employers that pay 100% of the premium for single-employee coverage for all eligible employees.

The product is available for sale in 45 states.