Justice Department attorneys argue that even if the Supreme Court overturns the individual mandate, it doesn’t need to void the entire law.
Reuters: Obama Lawyers Argue Rest Of Health Law Can Survive The Obama administration told the Supreme Court on Friday that nearly all of President Barack Obama’s healthcare overhaul can survive if the court declares unconstitutional the law’s centerpiece provision requiring health coverage. Administration attorneys argued in a written brief that all but two provisions can be separated from the requirement that Americans buy health insurance or pay a penalty by 2014, the law’s cornerstone known as the individual mandate (Vicini, 1/27).
Politico: Justice Dept.
LV= has announced that it is expanding its presence in Bristol, where its office handles general insurance business including customer service, claims handling and IT.
AXA PPP healthcare has announced that it is enhancing its support for those policyholders with cancer/heart disease, with immediate effect.
The insurer is now providing full cover for licensed cancer drugs, on its standard coverage levels for individuals and SMEs.
Regarding cancer treatment, the firm is waiving any monetary limits applying to out-patient tests and consultations.
AXA PPP is also extending its Freephone Dedicated Nurse service to those with a heart condition and providing reassurance to the ill and their families.
Following treatment for cancer or heart disease there is no time limit for follow-up tests and consultations monitoring long term recovery.
Policyholders will also benefit from £150 towards wigs and up to £5,000 to cover the cost of external prostheses such as eyes or limbs.
AXA PPPs commercial director Fergus Craig explained that the firm wanted its policyholders to feel confident that it was committed to supporting them.
Chicago Tribune: Express Scripts Loss No ‘Death Knell’ For Walgreen As the clock ticked down on the pending divorce of Walgreen Co. and one of its largest customers, rivals of the drugstore giant raced to woo millions of soon-to-be-displaced consumers whose medications wouldn’t be covered by insurance at its stores come Jan. 1. CVS Caremark, Rite Aid and other small- to medium-size drugstores launched advertising campaigns and beefed up staff in anticipation of adding tens of millions of new prescriptions should Walgreen and Express Scripts Inc. fail to come to terms on a new contract starting in 2012 (Frost, 1/8).
Kaiser Health News: Capsules: Millions Find Walgreens No Longer IN Their Rx Networks Express Scripts had been negotiating a new contract to keep Walgreens in its network.
International specialty property/casualty insurer and reinsurer Catlin Group Limited has announced that Adrian Spieler is to join the firm in February when he will assume the position of group chief administrative officer.
Most recently he worked for Swiss Re as chief operating officer for the firms Asset Management activities in Zurich, New York, London and Bratislava.
Spieler will acquire a seat upon the Group Executive Committee and responsibility for information technology, management information and operational support.
His role will be based in Zurich, but he will also spend significant amounts of time in London and other Catlin offices, and will report directly to Catlin Group Chief Executive Stephen Catlin.
Spielers appointment will enable Chief Operating Officer Paul Jardine to spend more time on the functions for which he holds responsibility.
Legal General has raised medical evidence limits in efforts to reduce processing times.
The changes mean that more underwriting decisions will be made at the point of sale, allowing more customers get confirmation of cover quickly.
For life cover up to age 35 next birthday LG has increased the automatic medical evidence limit to £750,001, and for critical illness cover up to age 30 next birthday, the limit has risen to £450,001.
The insurer has also reduced the number of blood tests and microscopic urinalyses required.
According to LG Protection underwriting and claims director, Russell Whitworth, around 6,000 extra cases a year should now go through without the need for additional underwriting.
Every week, Kaiser Health News reporter Shefali S. Kulkarni compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Archives Of General Psychiatry: Ten-Year Trends In Quality Of Care And Spending For Depression The researchers looked at treatment of depression in Medicaid enrollees in Florida from 1996-2006. They found a 29 percent increase in spending “despite decreases in inpatient costs.” They attributed much of the increase to the growing use of antipsychotic drugs. T
Managing Risks, Recognising Responsibilities
Thursday March 1st2012, Hotel Russell, London
The insurance industry is faced with new responsibilities, new risks and new challenges in a rapidly evolving global market place.
In a global environment where governments can no longer act as sole protector and risk officer of society, the insurance industry has a new opportunity for leadership, responsibility and growth. What role will the insurance industry play?
This unique one-day summit brings together the leaders of the industry to discuss the strategic direction for UK insurance.
Jelf Insurance Brokers have announced the appointment of Lee Gwilliam to the post of business development executive.
Gwilliams appointment is made with a view to enhancing the firms profile in the South East, and he is to be based in the Guildford office.
In his new role he assumes responsibility for business growth and service delivery within the branch, as well as formulating bespoke products and schemes for traders.
Earlier in his career Gwilliam worked for Willis as a business development executive and is a specialist in care, construction and manufacturing.
He will report directly to Regional Managing Director Chris Gibson, who said that he was thrilled to welcome Gwilliam on board and praised his wealth of experience.