The U.S. Health and Human Services Department issued final rules for its medical loss ratio, declining the request of insurance agent trade groups and state insurance regulators to exempt agent and broker compensation.

A consumer advocacy group attacked a bill before Congress seeking to exempt insurance agent and broker commissions from the medical loss ratios, calling it “special interest legislation.”

Two congressmen have introduced legislation that would exclude agent commissions from the medical loss ratios included in the federal health reform law.

A national insurance agents’ trade association is reminding Congress that whatever health care reform comes, consumers must not be denied access to the advice of licensed, professional, independent insurance agents.

Three House committees have completed their work on a bill to reform the health care system for a vote later this fall, when a single-payer option is also scheduled for …  Read →