Connecticut became the second state to stop allowing private insurers to cover its Medicaid enrollees, following Oklahoma.

Insurance carriers need to improve if service fundamentals by “proactively” offer advice and provide customized options to employers if they are to increase employer satisfaction with health insurance plans, a new study suggests.

Four of the nation’s largest health insurers had “dramatic reductions” in their claims payment denial rates since last year, according to new American Medical Association research.

Beth Sammis, who last week was not appointed as insurance commissioner in Maryland, will remain at the Maryland Insurance Administration as a deputy commissioner.

Increased “cost pressures” facing health insurers could mean that an effort to free insurance agent and broker commissions from the grip of the federal health reform law might not lead to restored payments.

Sixteen months after appointing Beth Sammis as acting Maryland insurance commissioner, Gov. Martin O’Malley has to make another appointment to the position.

The Kaiser Foundation Health Plan ranked highest for the third straight year in an annual survey of member satisfaction in the Maryland-Washington, D.C.,-Virginia region.

Independent Health Association ranked highest in member satisfaction with health plans in the New York-New Jersey region for a second consecutive year, according to an annual survey.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina ranked second best in a survey of customer satisfaction among South Atlantic region health plans.

UPMC Health Plan ranks highest among members for their satisfaction with their health plans in Pennsylvania, a state where member satisfaction overall exceeds the national average significantly, according to an annual survey.