66 vehicles get insurance institute's highest safety rating

Big improvements to 2011 models in roofs to protect passengers in rollovers contribute to the jump in automobiles that make it into the top ranking, up from 27 at the start of this year. Automobiles, whether economy cars or the top luxury models, are rapidly becoming safer to drive, an insurance industry trade group said. Read Story

South Florida workplaces push smoking bans to cut insurance costs

Each smoker costs an employer about $3,400 annually in higher health care bills, so South Florida businesses and nonprofits are pushing their employees to stop smoking and lead healthier lives with the goal of controlling ballooning health care costs and increasing productivity. Read Story

Health insurers may have to justify large premium hikes

The Obama administration wants firms to explain increases of more than 10% a year and plans federal reviews if states can't scrutinize premiums, but the plan doesn't give authority to block hikes.  Moving to restrain skyrocketing health insurance premiums, the Obama administration is proposing rules requiring insurers to justify increases of more than 10% a year in 2011. Read Story

COBRA benefits unchanged under health care law

COBRA benefits unchanged under health care law.  But there may be less demand for the coverage after 2014, when state exchanges will offer more affordable plans for the uninsured. Read Story

Viewpoint: What's our collective desire on individual mandate?

What part of the insurance business do opponents of healthcare reform not understand? Read Story

Medicare Guide

Medicare open enrollment ends soon. Use this handy Medicare Guide to make sure you have the coverage that meets your needs.

Experts ponder 'Plan B' options for the health insurance mandate

With Republicans vowing to dismantle the health law and courts wrestling with its constitutionality, some health policy experts are pondering a possible "Plan B" in case the individual mandate -- the requirement that everyone get health insurance starting in 2014 -- is weakened or struck down. Read Story

Mobile health in the palm of your hand

Technology companies, medical field developing mobile apps to improve patient health. Looking to better manage your diet, your vital signs or a chronic disease? Read Story

New rules spell out protections for consumers with 'limited benefit' insurance policies

HHS says that employers and insurers have 60 days to send out detailed notices to consumers on the limitations of their health insurance policies, which could have effects on so-called 'mini-med' policies.

At least 1.5 million people will soon receive notices from employers or insurers that their health plans fall short of meeting a key standard in the new health overhaul law -- and by how much. Read Story

California's largest health plans are fined nearly $5 million

California's seven largest health plans were fined nearly $5 million in total Monday for failing to properly pay medical claims submitted by thousands of doctors and hospitals over the last three years. Read Story

New auto insurance policies will give low-mileage drivers a break

New auto insurance policies will give low-mileage drivers a break. 'Pay-as-you-drive' coverage, to be offered by two companies in California beginning in February, based rates on miles driven.  California motorists who spend little time on the road could pay significantly lower insurance premiums with new "pay-as-you-drive" auto policies starting in February.

Identity thieves target Medicare recipients again

Identity thieves target Medicare recipients again.  Scammers phone seniors saying they are owed a refund.  Florida seniors are again getting phone calls from scammers trying to steal personal and financial information, this time by claiming a Medicare HMO owes them a refund. Read Story

Californians' costs for employer-based health insurance soar

Rates for family coverage have soared 40% over the last six years, a study finds, though other states have it worse when comparing average costs.

Working Californians have seen the cost of their employer-based health insurance shoot up about 40% over the last six years, but they may be surprised to find that workers in many other states fared even worse. Read Story

Find and compare more affordable health insurance at Discount Insurance Marketplace.

UnitedHealthcare hits some insulin users in the wallet

The health insurer is raising the price of NovoLog 250% while lowering the price of a similar drug, Humalog. The shift will force those on NovoLog to make difficult choices. It also shows how out of whack the healthcare system is.

We hear frequently about how higher rates charged by health insurers impact people's access to medical treatment. But what about the pharmaceutical side of things? Read Story

Unhappy with your current health plan? Find and compare health insurance at Discount Insurance Marketplace.

Some employers offering wellness programs to cut health costs

Like the rest of the faculty and staff at Philadelphia's Springside School, Frank V. Aloise Jr. totally buys into the idea of good health as an important employee value. Read Story

Medicare plan changes are coming; seniors should review coverage

About 13% of Medicare Advantage plans are being phased out, forcing those who have them to make new choices. Even for those not losing a plan, there are good reasons to evaluate coverage now, during open enrollment. Nobody likes to deal with their medical plan choices; possibly least of all seniors. Read Story

Find the right supplement to Medicare that meets your needs at Discount Insurance Marketplace.

Help is on the way for those who can't get medical insurance

A federally funded health plan is coming to California. But the federal and state plans vary.  Last month, California joined the ranks of states that have created a federally funded health plan for people who are medically uninsurable. All states either have a plan or will have one soon. Read Story

Compare California health plans and other states at Discount Insurance Marketplace.com.

Florida sued over sale of drivers' personal information

Florida's DMV is learning the hard way that you can't sell personal information.  Hopefully, this will send a strong message to other state agencies and put them on notice that they don't own your personal information and are responsible for safeguarding your personal information.  A lawsuit against the state of Florida over the sale of personal driver's license information to a private firm may proceed as a class action, a federal judge has ruled. Read Story