Department of Health and Human Services

• Senate Introduces MLR Bill Excluding Agent Compensation from Formula

  By Elizabeth Festa, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  March 22, 2013

  The Medical Loss Ratio bill is back in the Senate after a long hiatus, or death, as some might say, in committee last year.

• Interests Debate Role of Agents, if Any, in Healthcare Exchanges

  By Arthur D. Postal, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  March 12, 2013

  The former head of the agency overseeing healthcare-reform implementation disagreed with state officials Friday over the need for insurance agents in the purchase of health insurance once the exchange system kicks in come January.

• Industry Applauds Nelson Selection at NAIC

  By Arthur D. Postal and Elizabeth D. Festa  |  January 22, 2013

  Insurance interests in Washington are both publicly and privately ecstatic over the decision of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to name former Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson as its new chief executive officer.

• U.S. Releases New Healthcare Reform Rules on Insurance Coverage

  By Reuters  |  November 20, 2012

  President Barack Obama's administration on Tuesday formally proposed new rules requiring insurers to cover people with preexisting conditions and set minimum health benefits to millions of others under U.S. healthcare reform law.

• Partners In Crime…Prevention

  By James Ruotolo  |  October 26, 2012

  A newly formed national alliance could signify progress in targeting rampant medical fraud that plagues the P&C insurance industry.

• 

  Partnering for Crime Prevention

  By James Ruotolo  |  September 27, 2012

  The recent announcement by the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Justice to form a National Fraud Prevention Partnership to address healthcare fraud is a step in the right direction. It's good to see industry groups such as the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), Coalition Against Insurance...

• 

  Staying Compliant Amid Escalating Cyber Threats

  By David M. Governo, Corey M. Dennis  |  September 17, 2012

  Despite the increased focus on data security, many insurers experienced data breaches in the past 12 months. Here, two attorneys explore compliance regulations in the wake of complex schemes.

• U.S. Employer Healthcare Premiums Outpace Inflation, Wages

  By David Morgan, Reuters  |  September 11, 2012

  U.S. health insurance premiums have climbed faster than wages and inflation this year, and look poised to accelerate in 2013, adding to voter concerns about soaring healthcare costs ahead of November elections for the White House and Congress.

• State Regulators Cite HHS Delays in Health Exchange Rule-Making

  By Mark Ruquet, PropertyCasualty360  |  August 27, 2012

  As the deadline draws nearer for states to achieve certification for their health-insurance exchanges, regulators say the lack of rules and guidance from Washington is holding up the process.

• Change in Procedures Lets Medical Malpractice Industry Thrive

  By Arthur D. Postal PropertyCasualty360.com  |  May 14, 2012

  The medical-liability insurance industry has recently seen positive results and is working to minimize the “peaks and valleys” that it has historically seen, according to Brian K. Atchinson, the new president and chief executive officer of the Physician Insurers Association of America (PIAA).

• 

  Top 20 Washington Insurance Power Brokers

  By Staff Writers  |  March 29, 2012

  While the insurance industry is state regulated, Washington D.C. has always remained a major player in the business. PC360 Washington editor Arthur D. Postal has compiled a list of the top-20 public and industry figures in Washington D.C.

• New HHS Rules Define Producer Role in Health Exchange

  By Arthur D. Postal  |  March 13, 2012

  Health exchange regulations finalized by the Obama administration envision allowing agents, brokers and private companies, to sell coverage on the exchange to individuals and employers through privately-run websites

• All States Will Have Health Exchange

  By Arthur D. Postal  |  March 7, 2012

  Every state will have a health insurance exchange when the system is scheduled to be implemented on Jan. 1, 2014, the head of the government bureau implementing the healthcare law says.

• Senate Legislation Would Offer Limited MLR Exemption for Agent Commissions

  By Arthur D. Postal, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  January 27, 2012

  Revised legislation narrowing the proposed exemption of agent commissions from the healthcare reform law’s Medical Loss Ratio is being introduced in the Senate.

• NU's Top 10 Stories of 2011

  By NU Staff  |  December 19, 2011

  In such an eventful year, with dozens of compelling stories as strong contenders, determining the Top 10 of 2011 was no easy task. But, after a lot of labor—and internal debate—we feel the final list we’ve put together successfully captures the essential news of the past 12 months.

• #5 In D.C., a Busy 2011 Saw Number of Major Moves That Will Shape P&C Future

  December 15, 2011

  Politicians, bureaucrats and industry associations kept our D.C. bureau chief, Arthur D. Postal, plenty busy in 2011. Here are his encapsulated reports on the quartet of congressional stories that mattered most this past year—and which will continue to be newsmakers in 2012.