Health insurance agent and broker commissions were cut by a number of insurers because of the new medical loss ratio (MLR) included in the federal health reform law, according to the nonpartisan Government Accounting Office.

Beth Sammis, the acting Maryland insurance commissioner for nearly 18 months, ending in June, has taken a job at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, one of the health insurance companies she regulated.

Nearly three-quarters (71%) of mid-sized to large companies intend to keep their health insurance plans in place for 2012, according to a new Towers Watson survey.

The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) announced changes to the state’s health insurance rate review process after a study advised it needed more transparency and better access for consumers.

Health benefits brokers expect that consumers will become more dependent on their services in the future, and see growth potential for their agencies, a new survey says.

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?

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.

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.

A federal appeals court in Atlanta contradicted another federal court, ruling that the controversial requirement that people either buy health insurance or face a fine, a key piece of the federal health reform law, is unconstitutional.

Between 19 million and 45 million American workers could be paying more for their benefits in the next two years as their employers replace their employer-paid and contributory benefit programs.