Insurers to disclose information regarding their efforts to improve medical care this year

Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that consumers will begin receiving information on how their premiums are being spent this year. The Affordable Care Act requires insurance companies to spend no less than 80% of the money they collect from premiums on improving medical care. The federal law also requires insurers to inform consumers on how this money is being spent and how much has been spent thus far. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius believes that this is a major step toward keeping insurance companies accountable…

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Texas petitions federal government to delay enactment of the medical loss ratio provision of the Affordable Care Act

As some states seek exemptions from the controversial medical loss ratio provision of the Affordable Care Act, Texas officials are looking to the enacted of the plan delayed. The provision requires insurance companies to spend at least 80% of the money they collect from premiums on improving medical care. Insurers have been opposed to the provision since it was passed in 2010, arguing that it would hurt their ability to stay competitive in the market. Federal regulators have, thus far, been unwilling to cave to the concerns of insurers. State…

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Texas lawmakers look to rebuke application for medical loss ratio exemption

Texas legislators are urging the state’s Insurance Commissioner, Eleanor Kitzman, to withdraw an application for exemption from the medical loss ratio provision of the Affordable Care Act. The provision requires health insurers to pay no less than 80% of the money they collect through premiums on improving medical care. The provision has been a point of contention for insurers, who have fled some states that were unable to attain a waiver from the rule. Commissioner Kitzman is looking for an exemption to prevent an exodus of insurers from the state.…

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HHS upholds medical loss ratio provision, changes some aspects of the overarching law

Despite daunting opposition, the Department of Health and Human Services has remained firm on the medical loss ratio provision of the Affordable Care Act. The medical loss ratio provision requires that insurers pay no less than 80% of premium money on improving medical care. The provision has gained rabid opposition from the nation’s health insurance companies, who have been fighting to have administrative expenses and independent insurance broker fees removed from the mandate. The HHS, however, has issued a final ruling on the matter, claiming that most of the nation’s…

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