Formerly conjoined twins leave intensive care AP (November 23, 2009) SYDNEY (AP) - Conjoined Bangladeshi twins who were separated in a marathon surgery last week left intensive care on Monday and were adjusting well, hospital officials said.
Cigna, WellPoint upgraded on costs, reform details AP (November 23, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - An analyst for JPMorgan upgraded shares of WellPoint Inc. and Cigna Corp. Monday, saying the stocks should trade higher as the details of a federal health care reform bill come into focus.
AP Poll: Debt stress turns shoppers into Scrooges AP (November 23, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - A lot more Americans are feeling stressed out by debt this holiday season, raising the glum likelihood they'll behave like Scrooge rather than Santa.
Canadian woman loses benefits over Facebook photo AP (November 23, 2009) MONTREAL (AP) - A Canadian woman on sick leave for depression says she lost her benefits after her insurance agent found photos of her apparently having fun on Facebook.
Conseco subsidiary reaches reinsurance agreement AP (November 20, 2009) CARMEL, Ind. (AP) - Conseco Inc. said Friday that a subsidiary has reached a reinsurance agreement with Wilton Reassurance Co. covering about 237,000 life insurance policies.
Auto repair shops win $15 million from insurer AP (November 18, 2009) STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) - A Connecticut jury has awarded $15 million to automobile repair shop owners in their lawsuit accusing an affiliate of The Hartford Financial Services Group of unfair trade practices.
Ford, Subaru, VW win insurance industry picks AP (November 18, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Ford, Subaru and Volkswagen lead the insurance industry's annual list of the safest new vehicles, according to a closely watched assessment used by car companies to lure safety-conscious consumers to showrooms.
Small firms scrapping, scaling back health plans AP (November 18, 2009) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Faced with high health insurance costs, a North Carolina brokerage passed the buck on to its employees, a Texas public relations firm switched from group insurance to stipends, and a Missouri travel agency let its workers walk away instead paying for insurance.
Study: CT scans rule out heart attacks faster AP (November 18, 2009) ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - A CT scan - a kind of super X-ray - provides a faster, cheaper way to diagnose a heart attack when someone goes to the emergency room with chest pains, a new study suggests.
AP Poll: Gov't health plan divides public AP (November 18, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - An Associated Press poll finds more people support creation of a new government-run health insurance plan to compete with the private insurance market.
ND state senator wants insurance premium tax cut AP (November 16, 2009) BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A Bismarck state senator says North Dakota's insurance premium tax on nonprofit health insurance companies should be abolished.
Insurer Woodmen files $30M lawsuit against US Bank AP (November 13, 2009) OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Woodmen of the World wants U.S. Bank to pay nearly $30 million for investing some of the insurer's assets in risky mortgage-backed securities that plummeted in value instead of the conservative investments the bank promised.
GOP chairman ends abortion insurance for employees AP (November 13, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - A chagrined GOP Chairman Michael Steele has told Republican National Committee staff to immediately stop providing RNC employees with insurance for elective abortions - an option that Republicans strongly oppose as Democrats try to pass a health care overhaul bill.
AP sources: Probers eye census worker's insurance AP (November 13, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Investigators trying to solve the mystery of a census taker found hanging from a tree with the word "fed" scrawled on his chest are examining whether he manipulated the scene in order to conceal a suicide and make a life insurance claim possible for his son, law enforcement officials told The Associat
Deficit doubles for government pension insurer AP (November 13, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The government-chartered company that insures the pensions of one in seven Americans said Friday that its deficit this year nearly doubled to $22 billion.
Pelosi: Health bill would limit abortion access AP (November 13, 2009) CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) - Speaker Nancy Pelosi is agreeing with critics who say an amendment included in the health care bill passed by the House would additionally limit access to abortion.
Coventry says Michael Stocker is joining board AP (November 13, 2009) BETHESDA, Md. (AP) - Health insurer Coventry Health Care Inc. said Friday that Michael Stocker, the chairman of New York City Health and Hospitals Corp., will join its board of directors.
RNC health insurance plan covers abortions AP (November 13, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The Republican National Committee's health insurance plan covers elective abortions for its employees, an option Republicans strongly oppose in health overhaul legislation that Democrats are trying to push through Congress.
Extensions available for crop insurance deadlines AP (November 13, 2009) SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - The state Agriculture Department says wet conditions have delayed what looks like a near-record harvest for many South Dakota farmers and raised concerns about a Dec. 10 harvest deadline for crop insurance.
Report: AIG CEO ready to quit over pay constraints AP (November 11, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - After just three months as head of embattled insurer American International Group, Robert Benmosche has threatened to leave his post as he struggles to deal with heavy government oversight and restrictions on what the bailed-out company can pay employees, according to a published report.
Number of wounded troops in Afghanistan increasing AP (November 11, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Far from winding down, the numbers of U.S. soldiers coming home wounded have continued to swell. The problem is especially acute among those fighting in Afghanistan, where nearly four times as many troops were injured in October as a year ago.
PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) - Tropical Storm Ida sloshed ashore with rain and gusty winds Tuesday before weakening to a depression, causing little damage along the Gulf Coast but bringing more rain to the already-soaked Southeast.
Mutual of Omaha settles 'aha' suit against Winfrey AP (November 10, 2009) OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Mutual of Omaha may have had its own "aha moment." The insurance company has decided to settle its lawsuit against Oprah Winfrey's production company over rights to the phrase.
Allianz makes Q3 net profit of euro1.32 billion AP (November 09, 2009) FRANKFURT (AP) - German insurer Allianz SE said Monday it posted a net profit in the third quarter from a loss a year ago due to improved revenue in life and health insurance and financial services.
Hannover Re posts 3Q net income of $235 million AP (November 06, 2009) FRANKFURT (AP) - German reinsurance company Hannover Re AG reported net income of euro159 million ($235 million) in the third quarter from a loss a year ago, as a result of an increase in premiums and a one-off profit related to a recent acquisition.
Insurer Cigna's 3Q profit grows 92 percent AP (November 05, 2009) INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Managed care company Cigna Corp.'s third-quarter profit soared 92 percent, as improving equity markets spurred a big turnaround in a discontinued business that hurt the insurer last year.
Ford to put air bags into back seat belts of SUV AP (November 05, 2009) DETROIT (AP) - Air bags have long been mounted in the steering wheel, dashboard and sides of vehicles. Now, they're in the seat belts.
Democrats' plan to help 'uninsurables' questioned AP (November 05, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - You're afraid your cancer is back, and a health insurance company just turned you down. Under the health care bills in Congress, you could apply for coverage through a new high-risk pool that President Barack Obama promises would immediately start serving patients with pre-existing medical problems. Wait a second. Read the fine print. You may have to be uni
USAA expands eligibility to military veterans AP (November 05, 2009) SAN ANTONIO (AP) - USAA opened coverage to all honorably discharged veterans Thursday, more than doubling the number of eligible military members eligible for its insurance policies and financial services.
Large NYC employers getting swine flu vaccine AP (November 05, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Some of New York City's largest employers - including Wall Street firms like Goldman Sachs and big universities - have started receiving doses of the much-in-demand swine flu vaccine for their at-risk employees.
Insurer Cigna's 3Q profit grows 92 percent AP (November 05, 2009) INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Managed care company Cigna Corp. said Thursday its third-quarter profit soared 92 percent, as improving equity markets spurred a big turnaround in a business segment that hurt the insurer last year.
Marsh & McLennan 3Q profit beats expectations AP (November 04, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Marsh & McLennan Cos. said Wednesday it returned to profitability in the third quarter amid improving earnings in its risk and insurance services division and a decline in expenses.
Vote clears way for Ill. abortion notification law AP (November 04, 2009) CHICAGO (AP) - Illinois is allowed to start enforcing a long-debated parental notification law for teen girls seeking abortions after more than a decade of legal challenges.
Health care dispute: Costs of defensive medicine AP (November 04, 2009) BOSTON (AP) - Dr. James Wang says he tries to tell his patients when extra medical procedures aren't necessary. If they insist, though, he will do it - not so much to protect their health as his own practice.
Kin tells of brief call from doomed scallop boat AP (November 04, 2009) CAPE MAY, N.J. (AP) - Shortly before 5 a.m. on March 24, Janet Greene's phone rang in her North Carolina home. A light sleeper, she grabbed it on the first ring, knowing it was likely to be from Royal Smith Jr., a commercial fisherman who had two sons with her daughter, Stacy.
Wis. Republicans rail against insurance provisions AP (November 03, 2009) MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Republican legislators are trying to muster support for a bill that would repeal new minimum car insurance levels in Wisconsin.
Fire strikes historic Vt. general store - again AP (November 03, 2009) PUTNEY, Vt. (AP) - When a fire destroyed the beloved, centuries-old Putney General Store 18 months ago, some people here cried.
Insurer Aetna completes Horizon Behavioral deal AP (November 03, 2009) INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Managed care company Aetna Inc. said Tuesday it has completed a $70 million acquisition of employee assistance program provider Horizon Behavioral Services LLC.
Medco Health 3Q profit jumps 13.5 percent AP (November 03, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Medco Health Solutions Inc., the largest U.S. pharmacy benefits manager, said Tuesday its profit rose 13.5 percent as the company gained new clients and benefited from price inflation of brand-name drugs.
CDC: Contaminated beef may be linked to 2 deaths AP (November 02, 2009) ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) - Two deaths and 26 other illnesses may be linked to fresh ground beef that has been recalled because it might be contaminated with E. coli bacteria, a federal health official said Monday.
Flex spending accounts face hit in health overhaul AP (November 02, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Those tax-free spending accounts that you and your co-workers use to help pay for dental work, insurance copayments or over-the-counter drugs face a hit under the health overhaul bills in Congress - unless a coalition that includes a powerful union, insurers and others can stop it.
Health care plan hits rich with big tax increases AP (November 02, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The typical family would be spared higher taxes from the House Democratic plan to overhaul health care, and their low-income neighbors could come out ahead.
CDC: Swine flu kids' deaths jump to 114 AP (October 30, 2009) ATLANTA (AP) - Swine flu has caused at least 19 more children's deaths - the largest one-week increase since the pandemic started in April, health officials said Friday.
Mich. sued for cutting off adult dental benefits AP (October 30, 2009) LANSING, Mich. (AP) - A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of 400,000 adult Medicaid recipients whose dental benefits were eliminated by Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm to save money.
Gov't insurance plan wouldn't draw the masses AP (October 29, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Congressional budget umpires say a government health insurance plan that's been a rallying cry for Democrats would not be a big draw with the public.
Nevada construction deaths prompt safety review AP (October 29, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal officials will investigate workplace safety programs across the country after the deaths of 25 workers in construction accidents in Las Vegas over an 18-month period.
Aetna 3Q profit grows, but costs hurt performance AP (October 29, 2009) INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Health insurer Aetna Inc. said Thursday its third-quarter profit rose 18 percent on enrollment gains, but spiraling medical costs continued to hurt the company's core insurance business.
Ahead of the Bell: MetLife 3Q earnings on tap AP (October 29, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - MetLife Inc. reports quarterly results after the market closes Thursday, and investors will be anxious to see whether the improvement in the financial markets during the quarter will translate to better results in the insurer's investment portfolio.
Insurer WellPoint's 3Q profit falls 11 percent AP (October 28, 2009) INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Health insurer WellPoint Inc. said Wednesday its third-quarter profit fell 11 percent as enrollment in employer-sponsored insurance plans continued to slip while more U.S. workers lost their jobs.
Preventing preemies: New rules limit induced labor AP (October 27, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Labor is becoming less of a late-night surprise, but some hospitals are starting to tighten the rules for elective deliveries - because some babies are being delivered too early.
Long-term care insurance program gains in House AP (October 27, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - House health care legislation expected within days is likely to include a new long-term care insurance program to help seniors and disabled people stay out of nursing homes, senior Democrats say.