Data released last week by Standard & Poor's indicates the average per capita cost of health care services covered by private insurance and Medicare programs rose 7.32 percent over 12 months ending in August.

47 percent of executives say the PPACA may have a financial impact on their business. Most of them - 70 percent - have begun reviewing their health care benefit plans.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners announced Thursday it has voted to adopt a model regulation containing the definitions and methodologies for calculating medical loss ratios as required by health reform.

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors will present a survey of more than 800 health agents to insurance commissioners next week that will reinforce the important role agents play in handling claims.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners on Thursday approved the model regulation containing the definitions and methodologies for calculating medical loss ratios.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners filed a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Wednesday, highlighting issues that have come up as they get closer to concluding work on medical loss ratio definitions.

Local governments plan to make changes to employee health benefits to offset rising costs and revenue shortfalls in 2011.

The nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute examined data for private-sector establishments in 2009: