‘In The News’ Archives
State Policy Leaders Steer Clear of Politics at Conference
With almost 700 health policy experts, bureaucrats and state administrators gathered in Baltimore at this year's National Academy for State Health Policy national conference only three weeks before the country elects a president and most of Congress, you'd expect some political chatter. Not so much. The dearth of discussion was not because [...]
Some Advisers Not Confident on their Annuity Know-How
Despite their clients' interest in guaranteed income, many advisers still hesitate to recommend annuities. Much of that uncertainty appears to be tied to lack of understanding and experience with the insurance products, according to research from Morningstar Inc. The firm polled 106 advisers from a variety of backgrounds, including independent [...]
Artemis in Trial on $4 Billion California Claim
Francois Pinault’s Artemis SA holding company went back on trial in a $4 billion California junk-bond case. Lawyers for the California insurance commissioner and Artemis gave opening statements today in federal court in Los Angeles. Arthur Shartsis, a lawyer for the insurance commissioner, said Artemis was liable for $4.33 billion in profits [...]
Health Shift will Affect 860,000 of the State’s Children
California's top health care official told lawmakers Tuesday she is confident the state can eliminate a health insurance program serving more than 860,000 children from low-income families without disrupting the quality of their care. California Health and Human Services Secretary Diana Dooley said in an interview Monday that the shift will help [...]
Internet Searching for Insurance, Annuities Up More Than 60% in Six Years
The number of individuals who used the Internet to research individual insurance or annuity products rose more than 60% in the past six years. Sixty-one percent of consumers who researched individual insurance or annuity products did so online, compared to 38% who looked online in 2006. Sixty-nine percent of consumers sought information from [...]
Kaiser Leads with Six 5-Star Medicare Plans
Each year through the Medicare Star Quality Ratings system, CMS rates Medicare health plans (both parts C and D) on a scale of one to five star. They recently announced that six Kaiser Permanente Medicare plans earned five stars for 2013, of only 11 nationwide with parts C and D, the highest overall rating for quality and service. Kaiser's [...]
Brokers in California Partner with Zane Benefits
Zane Benefits announced a new partner program available to California health insurance brokers to help transition small business clients to defined contribution solutions. The program provides brokers with free ongoing training, sales and implementation support along with customized sales and marketing materials. New studies predict that U.S. [...]
Governor Passes Laws Concerning California Health Benefit Exchange
According to Assembly Bill 1761 recently passed by California Governor Jerry Brown, unauthorized businesses and individuals are prohibited from claiming to represent the state’s health insurance exchange. This legislation aims to address the issues that may arise from the establishment of the California Health Benefit Exchange. Legislators [...]
Ralph Nader Says Patients Short-Changed by California’s MICRA Cap
Activist Ralph Nader urged Governor Jerry Brown to raise or abolish the cap on monetary damages awarded to patients in cases of medical malpractice or negligence. According to the Harvard Medical Practice Study conducted in 1984, more than 90,000 Americans perish every year due to medical negligence and many more suffer debilitating injuries. [...]
More Consumers Look Online for Annuity Information
More than six in 10 consumers who researched individual insurance or annuity products looked online, up significantly from 38% who looked online in 2006. The number of people who considered the Internet their most valuable information source increased to 25% from 18% in that same time. Despite the Internet’s growing popularity, insurance [...]
