Tag: Insurance Commissioner Mike Consedine

Health care reform puts pressure on state’s insurance initiative

S.Vagus
Children’s Health Insurance Program kids

Pennsylvania insurance program manages to find new life despite health care reform provisions Pennsylvania has been fighting to keep its Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) intact as federal health care reform provisions begin to be enacted. The state program is considered one of the most successful insurance initiatives in Pennsylvania and it has provided insurance coverage for children and their families for some time now. The state is, however, being pressured to expand its Medicaid program, which would make insurance coverage more accessible to those that currently receive coverage through…

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Pennsylvania Department of Insurance given new rate review authority under enacted law

A new law that will expand the authority of the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance has taken effect this week. The law was introduced last year and won approval from the state’s legislators. Governor Tom Corbett signed the bill, Act 134, into law late last year, with an enactment date of March 21, 2012. The law is nearly identical to similar legislation in California that gave regulators more authority over rate proposals coming from insurance companies. Legislators believe that new authority granted to the Department of Insurance will help protect consumers…

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Pennsylvania workers’ compensation insurance costs drop by an average of 5.7%

Marc

Amidst news of insurance rate hikes from throughout the country, the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance offers a change of pace. State regulators have announced the approval of a 5.7% decrease in workers’ compensation costs. The rate reduction is estimated to save the state’s employers approximately $160 million. The 5.7% decrease is a reflection of average reductions throughout the state and will not affect all consumers in Pennsylvania. Some will see higher rates while others see no changes at all, according to regulators. Insurance Commissioner Mike Consedine believes that the rate…

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Pennsylvania insurance regulators see their rate review authority expanded with new law

S.Vagus

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department has had its authority over insurance rates for small employer health care policies expanded this week. On Thursday, Governor Tom Corbett signed Senate Bill 1336 into law, giving regulators the power to adjust the insurance rates in the small group market. For the first time, state insurance regulators will be able to review and disapprove new rate proposals coming from insurers. They will also be able to require insurers to justify their need for a rate increase and demand changes if necessary. Insurance Commissioner Mike Consedine…

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Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner encourages consumers to take advantage of open enrollment season

H. Cutner

Open enrollment season for health insurance has come to Pennsylvania and the state’s insurance regulators are urging consumers to weigh their options before making any decisions on coverage. Insurance Commissioner Mike Consedine released a statement yesterday in which he outlined the benefits of evaluating multiple insurance policies and state-run programs. Policies from other insurance companies may be more beneficial for a person’s needs than those offered by their current insurer. Keeping an eye out for such policies can net significant savings. Some employers may begin offering a wide variety of…

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