New ACO model in Virginia is first Aetna plans for mid-Atlantic, U.S.

Aetna has launched Aetna Whole Health in western Va., one of its first new health benefit plan using the accountable care organization (ACO) model.  Read Story

Plea expected from Costa Rican man linked to life settlement scheme

A plea agreement appears to have been reached in a case where a Costa Rican man allegedly led a $670 million life settlement scheme, according to an Associated Press report.  Read Story

Guaranteed life income products sustaining variable annuity sales

Variable annuity (VA) sales rose 16% in the third quarter, totaling $40.2 billion, according to the LIMRA's third quarter 2011 U.S. Individual Annuities Sales survey.  Read Story

House, Senate pass another short-term NFIP extension

President Barack Obama is expected to soon sign yet another short-term extension to the National Flood Insurance Program.  Read Story

N.J. residents sentenced in Pa. insurance fraud, theft case

A group of New Jersey residents pleaded guilty to an insurance fraud and theft ring, operating out of a Philadelphia auto body repair shop.  Read Story

Mass. broker pays $1.7M settlement to Conn., does not admit wrongdoing

A Boston, Mass., insurance broker agreed, without admitting wrongdoing, to pay a $1.7 million settlement to resolve allegations that it overcharged a client more than $2 million by concealing fees and commissions.  Read Story

Maryland insurer fighting $1.1 million award in celery death suit

A defunct produce processing company's insurer is arguing that it is not responsible for a $1.1 million default judgement awarded to the family of man who died after eating the company's celery.  Read Story

Emotions, desire to secure retirement drive annuity sales

Annuity sales are being influence by increasing emotion and a desire by buyers to secure their retirement, not accumulate wealth, a new report finds.  Read Story

A seemingly obscure regulatory battle in Florida could upend efforts to implement health-care reform nationwide.

‘Transition’ toward hardening casualty market might have started

The casualty market might be providing initial indications of a long-awaited hardening, although an expert warns not to read too much in to the latest report.   Read Story