S&P credit rating downgrade won’t hurt Calif. insurers, consumers

California officials predict that Standard & Poor’s (S&P) recent downgrade on the credit rating of U.S. government securities will not affect life insurers’ dealings with their consumers in the state.  Read Story

Unitrin looks for greater recognition with its new brand name

Unitrin announced its new name will be Kemper Corp., effective Aug. 25, when the company also will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the KMPR ticker symbol.  Read Story

Majority of middle-market baby boomers without financial advisors

Half of middle-market baby boomers say they lack the confidence to manage their investing, and fewer than 50% have contacted a financial services professional for help, according to a new survey from the Insured Retirement Institute.  Read Story

NEW YORK (TheStreet) — Eastern Insurance Holdings (Nasdaq:EIHI) has been upgraded by TheStreet Ratings from hold to buy. The company’s strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its ...  Read →  Read Story

Ill. home health care owners, podiatrist charged in $1.5M Medicare fraud

Two owners of a south Chicago area home health care business and a suspended podiatrist were arrested for allegedly defrauding Medicare of more than $1.5 million.  Read Story

Each time the organization representing state insurance commissioners puts out its critique of some aspect of the federal health reform law or its proposed implementation, a key question is raised: Is the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) representing the interests of those it is serving, primarily consumers, or is it serving its own interests?  Read Story

NAIC: Multi-state health exchange plans could stymie competition

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is telling federal officials that its proposal for regulating new federally mandated multi-state health insurance plans could upset state insurance markets and erode consumer protections.  Read Story

We live in a microwave society where most expect to get what they want - instantly, or at least in less than a minute. We're tricked into believing that fame and success can be achieved overnight, if we'll only work harder, longer and faster. We've adopted an "all or nothing" attitude that says we must either succeed or fail, there is no in-between.  Read Story

Majority says health reform law should make women’s birth control free

Health insurers should be mandated to provide women's birth control services at no cost to the women, according to the latest IFAwebnews.com poll.  Read Story

HSA administrator, HealthEquity agree to ‘marriage of expertise’

Salt Lake City, Utah-based HealthEquity acquired health savings account (HSA) administrator First Horizon Msaver from First Tennessee Bank National Association for an undisclosed amount.  Read Story