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San Francisco Health Care Law Won’t Be Reviewed

The Obama administration is urging the U.S. Supreme Court not to review a 2008 appeals court ruling that upheld San Francisco’s controversial health care spending law. The San Francisco law, which took effect in 2008, requires companies with at least 100 employees to spend at least $1.96 per hour per covered employee on health care, while employers with 20 to 99 employees must spend at least $1.31 an hour. The spending requirement can be satisfied in various ways, including payment of employees’ health insurance premiums and contributions to health savings accounts and health reimbursement arrangements. Last year, the U.S. Supreme… Read More »San Francisco Health Care Law Won’t Be Reviewed

Property Insurance Bill Vetoed in Florida

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, have addressed solvency concerns by imposing a higher capital requirement of $15 million for a new home insurer and provide all potential rate increases with a review and approval or rejection by Office of Insurance Regulation prior to anything being paid by consumers Elected governor vetoed the bill because he believes it would have made it easier for insurance carriers to get rate hikes to cover reinsurance costs up to 10% a year. The insurance commissioner still would have had to approve these hikes but the process would have been streamlined under… Read More »Property Insurance Bill Vetoed in Florida

No Change in Some Workers’ Comp Benefits

There will be no change in minimum and maximum temporary total disability (TTD) and permanent total disability (PTD) rates for 2011 work injuries, or in several other workers’ compensation benefits that are tied to increases in California’s average weekly wage, the California Workers’ Compensation Institue reported. The U.S. Department of Labor has released new data showing California’s State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) edged down from $984.83 to $979.90 in the 12 months ending March 31, 2010 — a decline of about 0.5 percent. Under California law, minimum and maximum TTD and PTD rates are subject to annual changes, effective January… Read More »No Change in Some Workers’ Comp Benefits

No Such Thing As Free Insurance? Not for Mexico City Visitors.

Medical insurance for tourists who face health problems while visiting the capital of Mexico, The Mexico City will be provided by the city government. According to mayor the program was proposed during the April swine flu outbreak that battered the tourism industry in the city. On an epidemic free year about 7 million tourists each year come to the city The program will cover treatment for health emergencies.

Repackaged Drug Prices

Business Insurance Now reports that Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has vetoed a bill that would have limited reimbursement amounts doctors can receive for dispensing “repackaged” pharmaceutical prescription drugs to workers compensation claimants. H.B. 5603 would have helped control state risk management expenses and employers’ workers comp costs, the governor said in his Friday veto message. But he said the bill also could result in “numerous unintended consequences that could adversely impact injured workers.” The governor did not discuss the potential unintended consequences. Some states, such as California, have capped prices on repackaged drugs. The practice refers to doctors repackaging pharmaceuticals… Read More »Repackaged Drug Prices

Low Cost Liability Insurance for Consultants

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. now offers a miscellaneous professional liability policy with premiums beginning at less than $1,000. The Hartford offers miscellaneous professional liability coverage through its Hartford Financial Products (HFP) unit. The coverage is available as a stand-alone policy or as part of the company’s Private Choice Encore!! Policy. The miscellaneous professional liability policy is designed for small firms that provide advice or services requiring specialized knowledge. Generally, these firms generate less than $1 million in revenue and have fewer than 10 employees. They represent a range of industries, including marketing or management consultants, executive coaches, career… Read More »Low Cost Liability Insurance for Consultants

U.S. Most Knowledgeable Drivers

According to 2009 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test Californian drivers are only 48 most knowledgeable drivers in the Nation. First place is shared by Idaho and Wisconsin Drivers, following by Montana, Kansas, South Dakota and Nebraska. The worst drivers are in Hawaii, New Jersey and New York. Among top driving mistakes that cause crashes there are multi-tasking driving, following too closely, failure to yield on a left-hand turn, incorrect merging, and backing up. Take a part in 2010 GMAC Drivers Test here. Go, California, Go!

The Hartford Hit With $14.5 Million Over South Carolina Printer’s Claim

A federal jury in South Carolina has awarded $14.5 million in damages to a South Carolina printing company against The Hartford insurance company in a case where the insurer believed a claim for a major fire loss in 2008 was arson. In March 2008, investigators said someone sprinkled fuel to set 11 different fires in the building of Genesis Press. The fires damaged several printing presses, computer drives and other equipment. Two weeks earlier, the business had also been vandalized with anti-Semitic graffiti, according to testimony at the trial. The Hartford stopped paying on the $7 million claim after it… Read More »The Hartford Hit With $14.5 Million Over South Carolina Printer’s Claim

FIRSTCOMP COMBATS CLAIMANT FRAUD

The FirstComp Special Investigation Unit (SIU) is dedicated to fighting claimant fraud. The team works extensively with Department of Insurance Fraud Bureaus, State Attorney Generals, and District Attorneys across the country to ensure successful criminal convictions for claimant fraud. In 2009 the SIU assisted in bringing 11 suspects to justice by obtaining 11 convictions for fraud. These convictions are great news for Tim Chlebinski, FirstComp manager. “The Special Investigation Unit team is dedicated to fighting fraud that ultimately impacts policyholders and businesses,” says Chlebinski. Below are just a few examples of claimant fraud suspects brought to justice with the help… Read More »FIRSTCOMP COMBATS CLAIMANT FRAUD