Shifting rules, consumerism will reset health insurance
Providers of health insurance face a momentous set of challenges in the coming years, a new report from Aite Group finds.
By
Bill Kenealy
Bill Kenealy
HHS chastises insurer for rate increase
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued its first rebuke to an insurer under the federal rate review provision of the Affordable Care Act.
By
Bill Kenealy
Low interest rates weigh on insurers
The report, Prolonged Low Interest Rates Take Longer-Term Toll, says depending on the amount of annuities and other interest-sensitive products in their product, U.S. life insurers may face a considerable amount of interest rate risk. Despite a moderate uptick in rates through October 2011, the Federal Reserves unprecedented announcement of its intention to maintain record low rates through 2013 will further challenge insurers selling interest-sensitive life and annuity products, the report states. In addition, the latest Fed stimulus program (Operation Twist) has the potential to lower Treasury yields at the longer end of the yield curve.
By
Bill Kenealy
Are health insurers becoming monopolists?
The culmination of years of consolidation among health insurers is restricting competition in four out of five metropolitan areas in the United States, new analysis from the American Medical Association finds.
By
Bill Kenealy
8 trends redefining insurance technology
Even the most able of insurance CIOs may find themselves hard pressed to keep their footing on a rapidly evolving technological playing field. Yet, even if they do, they may find the rules of the game are changing too.
By
Bill Kenealy
Brokers balk at SEC proposal
Life insurance agents are expressing concern about a proposed change emanating from the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. Find out what happened at a congressional hearing last week.
By
Bill Kenealy
Insurers confront the longevity conundrum
Some things only make sense in the aggregate. The issue of longevity is a prime example. While longer life spans is one of the unalloyed successes of the preceding century, the aggregate impact of aging populations also represents a major challenge for governments and benefit companies.
By
Bill Kenealy
Study: Insurance benefits befuddle workers
New research from Aflac underscores a big opportunity for advisers to help ease employees confusion during open enrollment.
By
Bill Kenealy
NAIC concerned about health exchange loophole
One of the primary features of the Affordable Care Act is the establishment of state-based health insurance exchanges.
By
Bill Kenealy
Rules may place smaller insurers at competitive disadvantage
One of the primary features of the Affordable Care Act is the establishment of state-based health insurance exchanges.
By
Bill Kenealy
Keeping an eye on social media
With social media so pervasive in our daily lives, its easy overlook the fact that enterprise-ready tools to help companies capitalize on the technology are still nascent.
By
Bill Kenealy
Health exchanges will change insurers
As major market changes loom, one report says health insurance providers that wish to access this giant pool of potential customers will need to shift toward a consumer-focused model.
By
Bill Kenealy
Congress considers interstate sales
One of the more contentious issues of last year's health care reform debate, whether health insurance companies should be allowed to sell policies across state lines, was the focus of a hearing by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce's Health Subcommittee last month.
By
Bill Kenealy
Long-term care liability costs rising
Americas long-term care facilities are subject to rising liability costs, a new study from Aon Corp. and the American Health Care Association finds.
By
Bill Kenealy
Congress considers interstate health insurance sales
One of the more contentious issues of last years health care reform debate, whether health insurance companies should be allowed to sell policies across state lines, was subject to a congressional hearing last week.
By
Bill Kenealy
Congress considers interstate health insurance sales
One of the more contentious issues of last years health care reform debate, whether health insurance companies should be allowed to sell policies across state lines, was subject to a congressional hearing last week.
By
Bill Kenealy
Health care costs explode
The annual Milliman Medical Index (MMI) contains some grim tidings for health insurers and others concerned by the rising cost of health care, as for the fourth straight year, costs rose by at least 7%.
By
Bill Kenealy
Top 10 trends for life, health insurers
The reverberations from last years seismic legislative tilts will be keenly felt by insurers in the coming year. A new report by Boston-based Aite Group finds reaction to health care reform and financial services reform among five trends that will shape each sector respectively.
By
Bill Kenealy
Annuities education still lacking
As the wave of retiring Baby Boomers presents new growth possibilities, providers of annuities products need to step public awareness efforts, a new study finds.
By
Bill Kenealy