Live Insurance News

Texas seeks higher requirements for health insurance navigators

December 10, 2013December 7, 2013 Logan B.

Navigators may be held to a higher standard in Texas The Texas Department of Insurance has proposed new requirements of health insurance navigators that will be working in the state’s insurance exchange. These navigators are a part of the Affordable Care Act and exist to provide assistance to consumers that are seeking coverage through the state-based exchange. Navigators can only work with non-profit organizations that have no affiliation with insurance companies and are subject to a federally mandated 40 hours of training before they can assist consumers. Agency wants more…

Health insurance navigators may get more training in Texas

October 4, 2013October 1, 2013 S.Vagus

Texas could require health insurance navigators to receive an additional 40 hours of training Health insurance navigators in Texas may be required to complete 40 hours of training over the extensive instruction they receive from the federal government. Governor Rick Perry has ordered the state’s Department of Insurance to ensure that navigators receive a minimum of 40 hours of training in order to better serve Texans looking for coverage through the state’s health insurance exchange. Federal health care officials claim, however, that the measure is simply creating more barriers for…

Texas homeowners insurance program could see surplus this year

June 20, 2013June 18, 2013 Nordstrom

Homeowners insurance organization may soon overcome challenges The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) has been struggling with some severe financial and management challenges in recent years. The state-run, non-profit organization provides some homeowners insurance protections to properties in coastal regions of the state. The organization is typically the only place where homeowners can find protection against wind damage along the coast. Despite past struggles, TWIA officials expect that 2013 will be a good year for the organization. TWIA manages to settle numerous lawsuits TWIA has been in debt since early…

Health insurance alternative becomes law in Arkansas

April 26, 2013April 25, 2013 Logan B.

Arkansas health insurance law provides alternative to expansion of Medicaid program The Affordable Care Act has seen no shortage of controversy and challenge in the U.S. While some states have worked to unseat the federal law, despite it being upheld by the Supreme Court, Arkansas has been one of the few that has been working for alternatives regarding the provisions outlined in the law. Earlier this year, Arkansas began developing a plan to support its private health insurance exchanges as a suitable alternative to expanding its Medicaid program that would…

Homeowners insurance in for some turbulence in Texas

April 1, 2013March 31, 2013 Logan B.

Texas homeowners insurance continues to be faced with serious problems The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) has been facing significant financial troubles in recent years. Like other state-run insurance organizations, TWIA offers homeowners insurance coverage that is typically less expensive than coverage offered by private insurance companies. For smaller states that are not exposed to the same natural disasters that Texas is, these public organizations face only modest challenges. TWIA, however, has long been faced with the financial woes that are associated with homeowners insurance for coastal properties. TWIA combats…