Pennsylvania’s Department of Insurance is urging lawmakers to pass laws concerning the building of a health insurance exchange. The department has begun noting the benefits of such a program, claiming that it will help residents find affordable coverage and help bring more competition to the state’s insurance market. The advocacy from the department comes at the end of a lengthy study conducted by regulators and state legislators concerning the benefits of an exchange program. Insurance Commissioner Michael Consedine, backed by Governor Tom Chorbett, made use of a $1 million government…
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Obama administration requests lower rate increase from health insurance company
The Obama administration has used a new tool from their healthcare overhaul to pressure a health insurer with intentions to increase its rates in Pennsylvania reduce the size of this hike. Department of Health and Human Services officials have announced that they feel that it was “unreasonable” for Everence Insurance Co. to plan a 12 percent increase in the rates for approximately 5,000 individuals employed by small businesses within the state. According to Kathleen Sebelius, the Health and Human Services Secretary, the intended rate increase was not adequately justified by…
Read MorePennsylvania Insurance Commissioner encourages consumers to take advantage of open enrollment season
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…
Read MoreCritical illness and accident insurance now available through HM Insurance Group
Highmark Insurance Group has just announced that individuals can now buy accident insurance and critical illness insurance from any of the eight retail facilities for Highmark Direct in Pennsylvania. HM Insurance group is a Highmark company and offers a wide range of protections for accidental injuries and illnesses. Highmark Inc. is Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association independent licensee based in Pittsburgh. According to the Highmark vice president of consumerism and retail marketing, Matt Fidler, accidental insurance and critical illness insurance are a good fit with the other standard health…
Read MorePennsylvania district judge rules against the Affordable Care Act
Last year’s Affordable Care Act continues to be a point of contention for many of the nation’s legislators. One provision of the controversial act has generated more opposition than others – that is the provision that makes health insurance mandatory for every citizen of the U.S. Those opposing the overarching health care reform call the measure unconstitutional as it imposes, what they call, an unfair requirement on citizens that may be unable to pay for health insurance. The provision has garnered even more opposition for levying strict repercussions against those…
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