Core and Group Health

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed regulations for the Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (CO-OP) program – an initiative that is supposed to create a new type of nonprofit, consumer-governed health insurer.

UnitedHealth Group Inc. said Tuesday its second-quarter earnings rose 13 percent, as enrollment gains helped fuel revenue growth and consumers continued to moderate their health care system use.

A panel of health experts is calling on the government to require that insurance companies cover birth control for free as preventive care for women under President Barack Obama's health overhaul.

Leaders of a bipartisan "Gang of Six" senators said Tuesday that they've reached agreement on a major plan to cut the deficit by more than $4 trillion over the coming decade through tax reform, Medicare and Social Security overhaul, and repeal of the CLASS Act, among other measures.

Despite that black cloud looming in the background like some kind of catastrophic debt ceiling, the mood here at the BenefitsConnect Summit is decidedly upbeat. Hell, it's downright bullish — among brokers and carriers alike.

The role of health insurance agents and brokers over the next few years will be even more important as middle-market decision makers navigate choices in a post-health care reform era.