Latest News + Info
The latest information relating to the health insurance industry.
News from the Blues
Blue Cross and Blue Shield reports "January 5, 2011 Legislative Update [All Markets] The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has released a proposed regulation that would institute a new review process for requests by health insurance companies for rate...
In Congress, Squaring Off Over Health Care Law
Insurance News Net reports: "Jan. 05--WASHINGTON -- Incoming Republican Rep. Lou Barletta said the House vote next week to repeal the national health care law is intended to send a message to Democrats. Many new Republicans, like Barletta, campaigned on a promise to...
Gallup: Employer-sponsored health insurance down
The Hill reports: "The number of adults who received health insurance through their employer dipped last month to the lowest rate in three years, according to a new Gallup poll. A new low of 44.8 percent of adults said they got their health insurance through an...
Health plans for high-risk patients attracting fewer, costing more than expected
In the spring, the Medicare program's chief actuary predicted that 375,000 people would sign up for the pool plans by the end of the year. Early last month, the Health and Human Services Department reported that just 8,000 people had enrolled. HHS officials declined...
Healthcare Reform: How it Affects Your Business
Business News Daily reports: "There’s good news and there’s bad news when it comes to the implications of the new health care law for small businesses. “No doubt, the law does some good things by bringing insurance to people who are sick and couldn’t afford it, and by...
‘Death panels’ controversy: Is Obama avoiding Congress?
The Christan Science Monitor reports: "In 2010, Obama's health-care law added annual wellness visits to the range of Medicare benefits. Now, the new provision would include the “voluntary advance care planning” as a part of those annual visits. The Obama...
New Standard Individual and Small Group Health Applications for Illinois
Beginning January 1, 2011, the Illinois Department of Insurance (DOI) is requiring that all health insurance carriers use standard health applications in the individual and small group markets. Click the links below to download the final version of these forms for...
Health Insurers Must Justify Premium Increases of More Than 10 Percent
Bloomberg reports: "U.S. health insurers led by United Health Group Inc. and Humana Inc. must provide justification for any planned premium increases of more than 10 percent next year, according to federal rules proposed today. States can reject higher insurer rates,...
Death by a thousand courts
The Daily Caller reports: “Death by a thousand cuts,” a slow form of torture and execution that originated in Imperial China, could aptly describe what appears to be happening to the recently enacted health care reform law. One group appearing to hold a knife is the...
Judge Hints He May Rule Against Health Law
The New York Times reports: "A federal judge asserted on Thursday that it would be “a giant leap” for the Supreme Court to accept the Obama administration’s defense of a central provision of the new health care law, suggesting he may become the second judge to strike...