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U.S. health insurers will have to justify big premium rate hikes under new rules issued by the U.S. Health and Human Service Department last week.

The Supreme Court explained that the requisite level of harm for a particular case will be dependent upon the applicable equitable theory of relief. If a plaintiff can satisfy one of the standards, it may then be rebutted by the defendant, if the defendant can demonstrate that the inconsistency was a harmless error.

Here’s a roundup of recent promotions and staff changes in the industry.

Willis Re created a new group to provide those in the life insurance and annuity market with advice on risk mitigation and financial leverage, the reinsurance unit of the London insurance brokerage Willis Group Holdings P.L.C.

Allstate Corp., already the second-largest U.S. auto insurer, said on Wednesday it would expand into online sales by buying Esurance from White Mountains Insurance Group for about $1 billion.

Many investors are unaware of the options available for their 401(k) account left with a previous employer, Fidelity Investments found. Nearly one-third (30%) who made a job transition are unsure of what to do with their workplace retirement savings.

Global sales growth of prescription drugs could be cut in half over the next five years as lucrative brands lose patent protection and cheaper generics and emerging markets become the only significant growth drivers, according to a study by IMS Health.

Expensive new cancer drugs, treating increasing numbers of patients, could drive up cancer drug spending by as much as 15% a year through 2013, according to the newly released 2011 Medco Drug Trend Report, which tracks drug utilization and spending.

Humans being humans, even when working within the Voluntary Correction Program to correct plan mistakes, plan sponsors naturally … make mistakes. So, the IRS recently released a tip sheet to help plan sponsors avoid common errors in VCP submissions.

The Council for Disability Awareness has developed the Disability Counter on their website. This new tool graphically illustrates the growing number of working-age Americans who experience a disabling illness or injury lasting for 30 days or longer.