Arizona insurance companies are falling prey to federal insurance regulators as the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seizes control of the rate review process in the state. Last year, federal regulators began reviewing rates proposals from a company that sought approval for a 40% increase. Regulators decried this as one of the most unreasonable rate proposals they had seen since the passing of the Affordable Care Act and have vowed to fully investigate proposals coming from 32 other health insurance companies. Federal regulators will be reviewing any proposal…
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A.M. Best report shows the potential for growth seen in the Indian insurance market
A new report from A.M. Best, a global insurance rating company, shows that the insurance market of India is poised for major growth. This potential for growth is, however, offset significant challenges facing the insurance industry. The report, titled “Growth Anticipated for Indian Insurers, But Frustrations Remain”, indicates that the nation’s insurance industry will benefit from a growing middle class and economic growth in numerous industries. The report also highlights the shortcomings of the nation’s auto insurance market, which has become quite volatile as more people have begun driving. The…
Read MoreFederal Insurance Office receives 150 comments on how to modernize the U.S. health insurance regulatory system
In October of last year, the Federal Insurance Office (FIO) issued a request for commentary on how to modernize health insurance regulations. The commentary period ended in December with the agency receiving more than 150 suggestions on what to do. Now, the FIO is using the comments it has received to help build a report regarding the regulatory system in the U.S. When completed, the report will be given to Congress and used to help plan a course of action for the future. Michael McRaith, director of the FIO, attended…
Read MoreA.M. Best Co. releases updated outlook for American health insurance sector in 2012
A.M. Best Co. has issued a briefing that provides a revision on its initial outlook for the United States Health Insurance sector in 2012, raising it from being negative to being stable. Last year at this time, A.M. Best had confirmed its negative forecast for that sector, primarily over worries about the capability of that sector of the insurance industry to be able to put into place and maintain the various requirements for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), in addition to concerns over the chance that there…
Read MoreChina insurance industry to face major challenges this year, according to Regulatory Commission
China may be home to one of the fastest growing insurance markets on the planet, but Xiang Junbo, chairman of the Chinese Insurance Regulatory Commission, says that the industry is faced with major challenges this year. Last year, Chinese insurers saw return on investment results drop by 3.6%. When coupled with the now notorious natural disasters of 2011, the results have rocked the nation’s insurance industry somewhat. Regulators say that if the coming challenges cannot be overcome, the growth of the insurance market may grow beyond the industry’s ability to…
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