Wash. building firm’s owners accused of cheating homeowners’ insurers

The owners of a Seattle construction firm are accused of overbilling insurers to the tune of more than $472,000.

James and Cheryl-Lyn Philo face 19 counts of felony theft after bilking ...  Read →  Read Story

Law passed to protect TRICARE members from health reform penalties

President Barack Obama signed legislation this week ensuring that members of the military and their dependents don’t get penalized for not having private insurance in the first of what could be several efforts to mop up small inconsistencies in the federal health care reform legislation.  Read Story

IBC to pay doctors for quality, using new pay-for-performance model

Independence Blue Cross will compensate its in-network doctors with a pay-for-performance model, a move it says will save money while improving the quality of health care.  Read Story

Delaware bill would mandate greater coverage of prosthetics

A bill mandating health insurers to increase their coverage of orthotic and prosthetic devices has cleared one legislative hurdle in Delaware.  Read Story

Bad math, health reform prompt Anthem to refile rate hikes in Calif.

Noting “numerous and substantial errors” in the way it justified raising premiums as much as 39%, California insurance regulators have accepted the withdrawal of a planned premium increase by Anthem Blue Cross.  Read Story

Va. man admits to fraud, including lying to gain insurance settlement

A Fincastle, Va., man pleaded guilty in federal court to lying on credit applications, including using fake letters from insurers, and using false documents in order to secure a $450,000 insurance claim.  Read Story

Wells Fargo to appeal contingent commission ruling in Connecticut

Wells Fargo says it plans to appeal a Connecticut court ruling against its insurance brokerage, Acordia, regarding improper disclosure of contingent commissions.  Read Story

Low-income workers got defined-benefit plan freezes more often

Workers earning less money were twice as likely last year to have their defined-benefit plans frozen than workers in the top income brackets, a new government report indicates.  Read Story

New Jersey mayor, ex-wife indicted for theft of health benefits

The mayor of Carlstadt, N.J., and his former wife were indicted by a Bergen County grand jury on a series of charges linked to the alleged continued use of health benefits following the couple’s divorce.  Read Story

VIST Financial secures $5.2 million ‘capital cushion’

VIST Financial Corp. recently announced two purchase agreements to raise $5.2 million in new capital – secure in its current financial standing, yet looking toward the future.  Read Story