Guardian and Berkshire have released a new ProVider Plus series for their disability insurance portfolio, effective Jan. 3.

A Jacksonville, Fla.-based Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance subsidiary agreed to acquire Pittsburgh, Pa.-based Highmark‘s Medicare subsidiary.

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

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on the federal health reform law, focusing itself on the individual mandate, with an expected ruling by June 2012.

The largest trade association of public-sector retirement funds endorsed a Washington, D.C.-based insurer’s fiduciary liability insurance program for its members.

The National Association of Health Underwriters has moved to Washington, D.C., putting it closer to elected officials who play such a large role in determining the future role of insurance agents and brokers.

State Auto Financial Corp. estimates that its third quarter 2011 results will include between $60 million and $63 million in pre-tax catastrophe losses, some from second quarter catastrophes.

A Utah man, the former president of an insurance agency, was ordered to pay up to $1 million in fines and penalties for insurance fraud.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) granted a second round of awards totaling $109 million to 28 states and Washington, D.C., to further implement federal health reform.

The Captive Insurance Council of the District of Columbia (CIC-DC) 10th annual conference, featuring a variety of sessions, including a look at how the health reform law will affect professional liability coverage, is scheduled for Oct. 24-25 at the Madison in Washington, D.C.