Live Insurance News

Vermont businesses continue to face challenges when it comes to health insurance

November 16, 2015November 15, 2015 S.Vagus

Small businesses continue to experience frustration with state’s insurance system Businesses in Vermont have been having some issues with health insurance for the past few years. Vermont is the only state where businesses with 50 or fewer employees must purchase health insurance plans through a specially designed exchange marketplace. The marketplace is meant to serve as an effective and efficient way businesses can provide their employees with insurance coverage, but it has been quite dysfunctional for small companies. A new insurance exchange system could be a costly issue for the…

Crop insurance slashed through legislation for reducing expenses

November 13, 2015November 12, 2015 Julie Campbell

Growers may see reduced coverage levels in order to save taxpayers $24.4 billion over a decade. Two state representatives in Wisconsin have now introduced a bill called the Assisting Family Farmers through Insurance Reform Measures (AFFIRM) Act, which will slash crop insurance with the intention of providing taxpayers with savings over the next ten years. In the span of a decade, the insurance coverage cuts will mean $24.4 billion in expenses will be saved. According to farm subsidy program critic, Congressman Ron Kind (D), the crop insurance bill will still…

Arkansas homeowners may need flood insurance protection

November 13, 2015November 12, 2015 Nordstrom

Arkansas is among five states that have the most land situated in 100-year floodplains Arkansas could be exposed to significant risks related to flooding, and it is not the only state to face such risks. According to the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, the state is among the top five states that have land situated in 100-year floodplains. In the event of a major flood, such a disaster could have catastrophic consequences for homeowners and businesses. The main problem is that most homeowners do not have flood insurance protection, which could…

California residents are being encouraged to purchase flood insurance

November 13, 2015November 12, 2015 S.Vagus

FEMA urges homeowners to obtain flood protection ahead of El Nino Homeowners in California are being urged by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to purchase flood insurance ahead of the arrival of the El Nino storm system this winter. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that El Nino will be particularly powerful this year and may strike the Bay Area in as little as two weeks from now. Notably, the majority of homeowners in the state do not have flood insurance coverage, largely due to a lack of…

Insurance companies may soon have rates negotiated with doctors

November 12, 2015November 11, 2015 Julie Campbell

doctor health insurance companies healthcare workers

If a new bill passes in Tennessee, it will mean that health care providers will play a role in rates negotiations. A new bill is currently under consideration by the Tennessee state legislature, which would alter the way insurance companies currently calculate the rates that are charged through doctors’ offices. The Healthcare Providers Stability Act will be the first of its kind for any state in the country. The current issue that the bill would change is that at the moment, insurance companies have the ability to change the rates…