The beginning of the year was punctuated with a rash of insurance rate increases coming from many of the nation’s insurance companies. Insurers had defended their weighty rate proposals with the claim that the cost of medical care was rising out of control. Higher rates may also be due to a provision of the Affordable Care Act that requires insurers pay no less than 80% of their collected premiums on health care. While insurers have been quick to propose rates that are, in some cases, astronomically high, industry experts believe…
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New health care rule enacted assigned to oversee insurance industry changes
A major provision of the Affordable Care Act is about to come into play. Beginning yesterday, September 1, health insurance companies will be subjected to stricter scrutiny when it comes to raising premiums. When proposing rate increases, insurers will now have to submit written justification for their want of higher rates. These justifications will be open to the public for the sake of transparency and insurance regulators will be able to reject rate proposals if the justifications are not satisfactory. The new rule is meant to curb the seemingly relentless…
Read MoreAmerican Modern Insurance Group launches new online documentation system
In a move to align itself with new federal health care regulations, the American Modern Insurance Group, a specialty insurance firm focused on health care, has adopted an electronic documentation system. Dubbed “Online Services,” the initiative aims to provide policyholders with easy access to important documents and billing notices online. This is a practice that all insurance companies throughout the nation will have to adopt by 2014, as required by federal regulations. The Online Services program is a fully optional offering from the company, but one the company is keen…
Read MoreGlobal insurance industry may be in for change as regulators come together to draft new rules
In the wake of major natural disasters and allegations of corruption, the world’s insurance industry is set for change. Insurance regulators from several nations have begun drafting new rules to present to political leaders in time for the 2012 G20 summit .These new rules are being tailored to ensure that the actions that spurred the 2008 economic recession cannot be repeated in the future. Both the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) and the Financial Stability Board (FSB) are playing a major role in drafting the new rules. Overall, the…
Read MoreBlue Cross Insurers look to expand into the Medicaid market
Independence Blue Cross, one of Southeastern Pennsylvania’s largest health insurance companies, is looking to expand into the Medicaid market. The company has been spending millions of dollars in the effort to carve out a larger share of the market. The Medicaid market has become a popular target for health insurers looking to offer affordable coverage to those that have fallen on hard economic times. Independence Blue Cross already holds a prominent place in this particular market, but is looking to further its hold as the market grows more lucrative. Michigan’s…
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