Live Insurance News

Aetna predicts major rate increases in 2014

December 21, 2012December 21, 2012 Marc

Aetna CEO forecasts future of rates for health insurance consumers Health insurance continues to be a hot topic in the U.S., especially as 2014 approaches bearing the full weight of the Affordable Care Act. Last week, Aetna, the third largest health insurance provider in the U.S., held its annual investor conference in New York. During the conference, Aetna executives provided a wealth of information to the company’s investors concerning the insurance providers future plans and how it will adapt to the changing insurance landscape. Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini offered a…

Anthem Blue Cross seeks to raise rates in California

November 30, 2012April 30, 2013

Anthem Blue Cross aims for rate increase of an average 18% California’s Anthem Blue Cross, the state’s largest for-profit health insurance company, is looking to raise rates on individual policies by an average of 18%. The rate increase proposal has put the insurer at odds with state insurance regulators once again. Anthem Blue Cross has proposed rate increases regularly in the hopes of addressing issues it considers to be important, including the rising cost of medical care. Regulators have renewed their scrutiny of the health insurance company to determine whether…

Siegel+Gale releases new insurance industry survey

October 25, 2012October 25, 2012 Nordstrom

Complexity of insurance industry noted in new Siegel+Gale survey Insurance can be a complicated matter. While many insurers offer coverage that is somewhat straightforward in concept, the language used in policies can be profoundly confusing, even for those well versed in insurance legalese. Insurance policies are often worded in a particular manner so as to limit legal liability. While this protects the insurance industry from rampant and excessive lawsuits, it also ensures that many policies can only be deciphered by a lawyer. This is a real problem for consumers, according to…

Walmart enters into life insurance business

October 11, 2012 S.Vagus

Walmart teams with MetLife to sell life insurance policies Retail giant Walmart appears to be getting into the life insurance business in Georgia and South Carolina. The company has teamed with New York-based insurer MetLife to begin selling policies in more than 200 stores located in both states. The life insurance policies that will be sold through Walmart are designed to be attractive to consumers looking to find affordable coverage without having to do extensive shopping or rely on plans that may be provided by their employer. Partnership will open…

UnitedHealth Group acquire large Brazilian insurance company

October 9, 2012October 9, 2012 Nordstrom

UnitedHealth Group acquires Amil Participacoes SA Health insurance giant UnitedHealth Group has announced its acquisition of one of the largest health care companies in Brazil, Amil Participacoes SA. The move is part of UnitedHealth Group’s endeavor to boost its presence in Latin America, a region brimming with demand for health insurance coverage. UnitedHealth Group acquired the Brazilian company for approximately $4.9 billion. The company operates 22 hospitals and 50 clinics located throughout Brazil and boasted of an annual revenue of more than $5 billion. Move comes as company attempts to…

Nevada government seeks feedback from public on health insurance benefits

September 27, 2012September 27, 2012 Nordstrom

Consumers have a chance to speak out on health insurance benefits Nevada’s Division of Insurance is looking to acquire public opinion on what should be included in the state’s essential health benefits plan, which is part of the Affordable Care Act. Per federal law, the state must build a health insurance exchange itself or risk having the federal government establish one. This insurance exchange is meant to provide consumers with access to affordable health insurance policies and create competition in the market to drive down insurance premiums overall. The policies…

Health insurance premiums to rise in state due to increasing medical costs

September 5, 2012September 4, 2012 Julie Campbell

Connecticut residents could be seeing increases in the double digits. Although the health insurance rates in Connecticut are on their way up, and the percentage by which they increase will likely be in the double digits, insurers are pointing out that it is not the Affordable Care Act that is behind this additional expense, but it is actually due to the rising cost of medical products and services. Insurers are seeing more expensive claims, which is driving coverage prices upward. One example of higher health insurance premiums will be for…