News
Health and Human Services Not Budging on Medical Loss Ratio
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has informed the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation that it will not reverse its decison to impose a medical loss ratio requirement of 80% on health insurers. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has been concerned for many months that imposing this medical loss ratio will be damaging …
Read More »
Saying Goodbye to 2011
December 31 marks the end of another calendar year, and with that we close the books on another active year in the Florida insurance market. Florida’s diverse population, large base of potential policyholders and unique political and market issues tend to mean that insurance-related topics are prevalent in each year’s headlines. We began this year …
Read More »
State health insurance plan may fold into fed plan
TALLAHASSEE — A fledgling state health insurance program could have an unintended consequence for Republicans who created it: helping President Barack Obama implement his controversial health care law in Florida.
OIR Issues Memorandum to Health Insurers and HMO’s
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has issued an informational memorandum to all health insurers and HMO’s. The purpose of the memorandum is to notify health insurers and HMO’s of a recent amendment to the federal interim final rules relating to Internal Claims and Appeals and External Review Processes. The OIR’s informational memorandum can be …
Read More »
How will Supreme Court rule on health care law?
The Supreme Court is likely to decide whether the Affordable Care Act is constitutional in its upcoming term that begins next week.
Insurers raising co-pays for expensive drugs
Health insurers are increasingly charging patients sharply higher amounts for the most expensive drugs, often causing sticker shock for the sick people who need them.
State fights $60M in consumer rebates
Floridians could miss out on an estimated $60 million in health-insurance rebates next year if state officials successfully block enforcement of spending rules in the year-old reform law.
Fla. lawsuit: Can doctors ask patients about guns?
MIAMI (AP) — Doctors in Florida are fighting a first-of-its-kind law requiring them to have a legitimate safety concern before they start asking a patient about guns.
Senate Committee Interim Projects Affect Health Insurers
The Florida Senate will conduct several interim projects in anticipation of the 2012 session that may be of interest to health insurers. In particular, the following projects relating to Health Regulation may have direct or indirect impacts on the health insurance market: Review 24-hour Admissions Limitations in Ambulatory Surgical Centers Review Consolidating, Eliminating, or Reorganizing …
Read More »
Report: Health insurers owe state $3M
MIAMI — Private health insurers overstated how much they spent on patient care and owe Florida health officials $3.1 million in refunds for a government children’s health care program, according to a recent federal report.
Wellness Bill Signed Into Law Effective July 1
The legislature passed HB 445 during the 2011 session creating an exception to unfair insurance trade practices statutes allowing health insurers and HMOs to offer rewards or incentives for wellness or health improvements. The incentives may take the form of merchandise, gift cards, debit cards, premium discounts, contributions to HSAs or similar items. Governor Rick …
Read More »
Tallahassee’s political agenda
Floridians should be offended by the refusal of Gov. Rick Scott and the Legislature to accept millions of dollars in federal spending related to the health care reform law passed by Congress last year. Tallahassee has told Washington to stuff it — at the expense of retirees, children and adults with disabilities who are the …
Read More »
Bill on Non-Insured, Discounted Dental Fees Moves Ahead
TALLAHASSEE | Dentists say they are getting squeezed. Insurance companies say they are helping hold down costs for patients.
OIR Issues Memorandum on Guaranteed Availability of Health Insurance
The Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has issued informational memorandum OIR-11-01 to life and health insurers and health maintenance organizations licensed in Florida. The stated purpose of the memorandum is to inform insurers of the requirements of Section 627.6487, Florida Statutes, relating to the guaranteed availability of health insurance. The memorandum states that eligible individuals …
Read More »
OIR, Commissioner McCarty Respond to Healthcare Reforms
The Office of Insurance Regulation recently announced that Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty joined regulators from other states in voting to approve the NAIC’s recommended language for the Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) definition under the federal Affordable Care Act. Due to the definition of medical expenses, health insurance agent premiums were not included in the definition of …
Read More »
