Health Insurance

Ping An and Discovery Health team up

Wed, Dec, 2 2009

China’s already fast-growing private health insurance market offers potential, an opportunity that Chinese insurer and South Africa’s largest health insurer, Discovery, aim to exploit in a soon to be formed joint venture. In their sights is a potential market of over 80 million people

US employers take a dim view of health care insurance reform

Thu, Oct, 1 2009

As the hotly debated subject of healthcare insurance reform rages on in the US, employers are already contemplating what the end result will be. Of concern is that conclusions being reached are far from positive, reveals a survey of employers undertaken by consultancy Watson Wyatt in mid-September.

Premature death stalks US’ uninsured millions

Thu, Oct, 1 2009

(Free) As the debate focused on the mooted creation of a of a government-backed health insurance plan in the US rages on, a study undertaken by Harvard University has greatly strengthened the argument of proponents of federal involvement.

Aetna and UnitedHealth emerge as big winners in US Defense Department contract shake-up

Mon, Aug, 17 2009

(Free) The US Department of Defense (DoD) has created a major upset in the US health insurance industry with its decision to change suppliers of benefits to nearly six million active and retired service men and women and their families.

Anti-health care fraud organisations join forces

Mon, Aug, 17 2009

(Free) Fraud is a significant problem for insurers and health care providers alike and in the European Union (EU) alone results in losses of between €30 billion ($42 billion) and €100 billion annually, according to Paul Vincke, president of the European Healthcare Fraud and Corruption Network (EHFCN).

Health insurance insider reveals all

Wed, Jul, 8 2009

Testifying before a Senate committee, a former senior health insurance industry executive has exposed a series of dubious practices used by insurers to boost profits. His testimony comes at a bad time for a health insurance industry facing regulatory change that threatens to drastically shrink its customer base.

An industry under attack from all sides

Mon, Jun, 8 2009

Spearheaded by a determined President Obama, sweeping reform of the US health insurance market is virtually inevitable. Backing Obama are powerful lobbying groups such as Health Care for America Now, which are demanding change in what they perceive as an anti-competitive health insurance industry.

Prevention is better than cure

Mon, Jun, 8 2009

(Free) Increasingly wellness programmes aimed at encouraging healthy lifestyles are being offered by health insurers but often the question is asked: do they yield any positive results?

UK’s private health market inches ahead

Mon, May, 11 2009

(Free) The UK’s private medical insurance (PMI) market proved resilient to deteriorating economic conditions in 2008, data published by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) reveals.

Brokers unite to oppose reform

Mon, May, 11 2009

(Free) A coalition led by the US Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers (CIAB) has been formed to oppose the swift implementation of health insurance reform, a key objective of President Barack Obama and Democrat Party leaders. If approved the impact on private health insurers and brokers could be devastating.