Health insurance companies UnitedHealthCare, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and Tufts Health Plan have all filed for double-digit rate increases for next year.

On the heels of WellPoint and UnitedHealthcare announcing plans to close a coverage gap for young adults before federal health reform efforts kick in, Aetna and all Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies announced they would do the same.

A Branchburg, N.J., man, pretending to be a licensed psychologist, along with his female accomplice, recently pleaded guilty to defrauding several health insurers, including Aetna and UnitedHealthcare.

With federal health reform expanding the dependent age for coverage of young adults to 26 as of this September, national health insurers WellPoint and UnitedHealthcare have announced steps to avoid a gap in care.

Ten of the largest health insurers covering students – including Aetna and UnitedHealthcare – were recently subpoenaed in an ongoing investigation into what the New York Attorney General’s Office says is inferior coverage at colleges in and around the state.

A Maryland state senator is taking insurance companies to task for their opposition to a bill raising the dependent age of adult children, saying companies need to get more actively involved in decreasing the number of uninsured state residents.

Recognizing the historical aspect and increased coverage provided through the health reform bill approved by the U.S. House of Representatives, insurance companies and at least one agents’ group are not sharing the enthusiasm of Democrats.

UnitedHealthcare and Continuum Health Partners have reached a multi-year agreement to keep the health system’s four hospitals within the insurer’s network.

Highmark Inc., the state’s largest health insurer, is shifting its small-group business to a for-profit entity, which will allow it to consider medical underwriting.

Six months ago, Insphere Insurance Solutions announced plans to become the largest independent career agent distribution group. On Jan. 21, the Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas-based company announced it has commenced operations with a force of 2,200 agents and offices in more than 40 states.