Core and Group Health

Sen. Al Franken is asking the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to review state requests for minimum medical loss ratio (MLR) waivers carefully before granting waivers.

Its no secret health care in the United States is undergoing a fundamental change. Rising costs, rampant litigation, ground-breaking health care reform legislation and the global recession are all wreaking havoc with the established norm.

On Wednesday, Colorado became the eighth state to comply with a federal mandate to set up a health insurance exchange, and the first state to approve the exchange with bipartisan approval.

Gov. John Hickenlooper cited concerns that children would lose coverage as he announced a veto Tuesday of a bill requiring some Colorado families to contribute more to a health insurance plan for low-income children.

A health insurance bill that's been vetoed by Maine Gov. Paul LePage is back in the Legislature, which must decide whether to sustain or override the veto.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is trying to save the struggling Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan program by paying agents and brokers enrollment commissions.

A.M. Best reports a proposed federal bill exempting agent and broker commissions from medical loss ratio calculation could reduce consumer rebates by more than $1 billion.

Coventry Health Care Inc. said Tuesday a court approved its $150.5 million settlement of a class action lawsuit that accused the health insurer of violating Louisiana laws.