Bipartisan Bill Aims to Break Pharmacies Away From Health Insurers and PBMs
Congress is reintroducing the Patients Before Monopolies Act, a bipartisan bill that would require health insurers and pharmacy‑benefit managers (PBMs) to divest any pharmacies they own. The legislation is led in the Senate by Elizabeth Warren and Josh Hawley and in the House by Diana Harshbarger and Jack Auchincloss, with co‑sponsors from both parties. PBM industry groups argue the forced sales could weaken bargaining power, disrupt specialty‑drug distribution, and eliminate jobs. Proponents say separating ownership is essential to curb corporate greed and lower prescription‑drug costs.
Prior Authorization Criteria Differ Significantly Across Leading Commercial Insurers
A new industry analysis reveals that prior‑authorization (PA) criteria vary widely among the top five U.S. commercial insurers, with differences in required documentation, clinical thresholds, and turnaround times. Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare demand detailed lab results for cardiac procedures,...
Solid Underwriting Results Continued in 2025 for Leadenhall Backed Nectaris Re: Am Best
Nectaris Re Ltd., the Leadenhall‑backed Class 3A reinsurance platform, received a third consecutive affirmation of its ‘A’ (excellent) rating from AM Best, citing solid underwriting results from 2023 through 2025. The company generated roughly $13 million in profit after tax in both 2023...
Bitcoin Hormuz Payments for Ship Insurance Will Test Crypto’s Neutral Money Thesis
According to Iran‑linked Fars News, the Economy Ministry is developing Hormuz Safe, a digital platform that would settle vessel insurance premiums for transits through the Strait of Hormuz in Bitcoin, with projected revenues exceeding $10 billion. The website currently displays only...
Zurich Expands Agentic AI Rollout with Cytora Partnership
Zurich Insurance has deployed Cytora’s AI‑driven risk digitisation platform in five countries within 90 days, slashing manual underwriting triage time by 80%. The rollout boosted straight‑through processing from 10% to 95% and lifted digitisation accuracy to 98%. Zurich now aims...
Iran Unveils Crypto Insurance Regime for Hormuz
Iran announced a new insurance‑based regime called Hormuz Safe to manage transit through the Strait of Hormuz, issuing blockchain‑verified marine policies payable in Bitcoin. The scheme requires vessels to file a mandatory Vessel Information Declaration with the newly created Persian...
CMS Finalizes Removal Of Standardized Plan Options, Non-Network Plans Addition In 2027 Exchange Rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its 2027 health‑insurance exchange rule, stripping away the long‑standing standardized plan requirements and opening the marketplace to non‑network insurers. The rule also expands catastrophic‑only plans, giving consumers lower‑cost entry points. These...
Best Arizona Contractor Coverage Options for Construction Firms
Arizona construction firms face rising insurance costs and strict regulatory mandates, with general liability required for licensing and workers’ compensation enforced by daily fines of up to $500. Premiums for general liability and builder’s risk have climbed 7‑12% heading into...
Floods and Finance: Why Climate Change Will Become a More Pressing Economic Problem for UK Households
Climate change is turning flood risk into a looming financial crisis for UK households. An estimated 430,000 homes could become “climate mortgage prisoners” by 2050, unable to insure, remortgage, or sell. Flood‑exposed properties already affect 6.3 million homes, a figure projected...
NH House Passes Self-Insurance for Childcare, Behavioral Health Businesses
On May 15, 2026, the New Hampshire House approved Senate Bill 614, which creates multiple‑caregiver self‑insured risk coverage arrangements for childcare, foster‑care and behavioral‑health providers. The legislation lets two or more providers pool contributions into a fund managed by the...
Ontario DB Pension Solvency Snaps Two-Quarter Record Streak in Q1
Ontario’s defined‑benefit pension plans saw their median solvency ratio dip to 122% at the end of Q1 2026, ending a two‑quarter streak of record‑high ratios. Fully funded plans on a solvency basis fell to 90% from 92% in the prior quarter,...
I'm an Insurance Pro: What You Can Do to Save Yourself Some Moola as the Insurance Market Shifts
After three years of tight underwriting and rising premiums, insurers in California are beginning to relax their guidelines and new carriers are entering the market. The state’s FAIR Plan is shedding policies back to the private market, signaling renewed competition...
Global Property Softening Met by Underwriting Discipline and Rising ART Interest: Aon
Aon’s Q1 2026 Global Insurance Market Overview shows a softening global property re/insurance market, yet underwriting discipline remains strong as insurers focus on risk selection and technical pricing amid climate, secondary peril and geopolitical concerns. Abundant capacity and fierce competition...
Insurance System Leaves Canadians Vulnerable as Natural Disasters Rise, Says Report
A new C.D. Howe Institute report warns that Canada’s property‑and‑casualty insurers are increasingly exposed to wildfires, storms and earthquakes, and urges Ottawa to create a government‑backed reinsurance scheme. The proposal would let the federal government borrow at lower rates to...
Markets/Coverages: AXA XL Starts Prevention-Focused Business Unit; Markel Adds New Media, Entertainment Offerings
AXA XL unveiled a new Business Unit dedicated to prevention, led by Global Chief Underwriting Officer Libby Benet, to expand its risk‑consulting and advisory services. The unit will combine data, analytics, and engineering to tackle climate, supply‑chain, cyber, and operational resilience...
AI Cements Its Grip on Insurtech as Liability Questions Mount
Artificial intelligence now absorbs 95.2% of global insurtech capital, with $1.55 billion of Q1 2026 funding flowing to AI‑focused firms. Early‑stage AI deals surged 36% quarter‑over‑quarter, highlighted by Corgi’s $108 million Series A, one of only six mega‑rounds above $100 million. Meanwhile, insurers are confronting...
New York Hopes Captives Can Lower Affordable Housing Insurance Costs
New York State is providing a $2 million loan to Milford Street Association’s captive insurer and a $5 million pilot to help nonprofit housing providers adopt similar structures. The funding aims to lower liability insurance premiums that have risen from about $500...
WBN Survey: Global Business Leaders Shift Risk Strategy With Insurance
Global executives are shifting from traditional risk mitigation to a risk‑led strategy, treating insurance as a strategic asset rather than a cost. Worldwide Broker Network’s Risk Reality Report, based on 1,750 C‑suite leaders across six countries, shows 45% rank risk...
Time to Rewrite the Rules of Shipping War Risk Insurance
Lloyd’s underwriters are weighing the creation of an independent panel to determine when geopolitical events constitute a war for marine‑insurance purposes. The move targets the ambiguous line between armed conflict, state‑backed cyber attacks, and ordinary disputes. Shipping policies currently contain...
Corporate Insurers Are Starting to Back Away From AI Risk
U.S. AI‑related lawsuits have exploded, climbing 978% between 2021 and 2025, prompting corporate legal teams to confront a wave of discrimination, intellectual‑property and autonomous‑system claims. In response, major insurers such as Berkshire Hathaway, Chubb and Travelers have added AI exclusion...
Managing Disaster Risk Has Gotten so Costly It May Require Government Help
U.S. homeowners are facing soaring insurance premiums as insurers retreat from high‑risk markets, driven by more frequent and costly hurricanes, wildfires, and rebuilding expenses. Experts propose a new federal reinsurance entity to backstop catastrophic losses that private reinsurers struggle to...
![[Updated] CMS Places National Moratorium On Home Health, Hospice Agency Enrollment](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://homehealthcarenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/03/HHCN-Facebook-Share-Size.jpg)
[Updated] CMS Places National Moratorium On Home Health, Hospice Agency Enrollment
CMS announced a six‑month national moratorium on new Medicare enrollment for home health and hospice agencies, covering both initial applications and certain ownership changes often used to conceal fraud. The agency labeled these sectors high‑risk and a major source of...
Fidelis Insurance Holdings Ltd (FIHL) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Fidelis Insurance Holdings posted a record low combined ratio of 79% in Q1 2026, improving by more than eight points year‑over‑year. Operating ROAE climbed to 21.4%, a five‑point increase, while diluted book value per share rose $1.25 to $23.29. Gross...
Tokio Marine Partners on Restaurant Coverage
Tokio Marine HCC’s Specialty Group has teamed up with Adaptive Insurance to launch a digitally delivered Restaurant Recovery policy. The AI‑driven platform lets restaurant owners and brokers quote and bind coverage online, with limits of $500,000 or $1 million. The product...
Severe Collisions Decline While Distraction and Midday Risk Rise for Commercial Fleets
Lytx’s 2026 Road Safety Report shows commercial fleet collisions rose 4% in 2025, a sharp slowdown from the 24% surge seen between late 2023 and 2024. While overall crashes increased, high‑severity incidents fell 3%, translating into up to 90% lower...
Office Owners Reduce Insurance Risk With Restoration Plans
Office building owners face soaring insurance premiums, driven largely by water‑damage claims that represent over half of commercial real‑estate losses. A proactive restoration plan—featuring a 24/7 vetted partner, rapid moisture removal, and rigorous documentation—can slash claim severity and improve insurer...
Lagos Targets N100bn Health Funding Gap Through Mandatory Insurance
Lagos State announced a mandatory health‑insurance scheme and expanded public‑private partnerships to address an estimated N100 billion ($217 million) funding shortfall. The state currently spends only 8% of its budget on health, well below the 15% Abuja Declaration benchmark. Over 1.46 million residents...
Comp Posts 91% Combined Ratio in 2025, Extends Underwriting Gains
The National Council on Compensation Insurance reported that workers‑compensation insurers posted a 91% combined ratio for 2025, marking the 12th straight year of underwriting gains. Net written premium slipped 0.2% while lost‑time claim frequency fell 2%, offset by a 4%...
Munich Re Q1 Profit Jumps on Lower Catastrophe Losses
Munich Re posted first‑quarter net income of €1.7 bn ($2 bn), a 57% jump year‑over‑year, driven by sharply lower catastrophe claims and strong underwriting in its property/casualty reinsurance and global specialty insurance units. The combined ratio for property/casualty fell to 66.8% from...
Medicare Advantage Turmoil Continues
Medicare Advantage enrollment rose only 2.4% year‑over‑year to April 2026, the weakest growth in 15 years, yet the program still covers 51.8% of the 69.6 million Medicare‑eligible population. CMS rule changes prompted major insurers such as UnitedHealthcare to exit 109 counties, while six...
Yannis Stournaras: Challenges for the Greek Insurance Market and for the Supervisors
Greek Governor Yannis Stournaras told a Groupama dinner that the country’s insurance sector remains financially sound, with assets of about $24 billion and a Solvency Capital Requirement coverage of 173%. He highlighted persistent challenges, including a large insurance protection gap, low‑interest‑rate...
Americans Blame Corporate Greed, Not Extreme Weather, for High Home Insurance Costs
A Pew Research Center survey finds 71% of U.S. homeowners say home‑insurance premiums have risen, with 65% blaming insurers’ profit motives rather than extreme weather. Insurers counter that climate‑driven losses, soaring reinsurance costs, and mounting catastrophe payouts are forcing price...
How Your ORSA Can Be Retooled for a Competitive Advantage
Carrier executives often view the Own Risk Solvency Assessment (ORSA) as a compliance burden, but when executed well it can become a strategic asset. Scenario analysis embedded in the ORSA report lets leaders spot risks before they materialize, while clear,...
NJ High Court Blocks Double Recovery of Future PIP Medical Benefits
The New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously held that future medical expenses that fall within the state’s $250,000 no‑fault personal injury protection (PIP) limit are inadmissible in a personal‑injury trial. The decision arose from Murray’s case, where a jury awarded $100,000...
Munich Re Flags Up to €2.5 Billion Private Credit Exposure
Munich Re disclosed a private‑credit portfolio of up to €2.5 billion (about $2.9 billion), roughly 1% of its total assets. The exposure is concentrated in senior‑secured funds that the insurer says are carefully selected for strong workout capabilities. The announcement comes as...
Navi General Insurance Expands Partnership to Deliver Cashless Motor Claims
Navi General Insurance has launched motor insurance on its app, offering a cashless claims experience across India. The company partnered with GoMechanic, ReadyAssist, myTVS and AIS Windshield Experts to integrate digital claims with on‑ground service support. Its garage network grew...
Register: Risky Future AI Tools for Homeowners Data ‘Demo Day’ on May 13
Insurance Journal’s Risky Future series is hosting a free “AI Tools for Homeowners Data” Demo Day on May 13, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET. The online event will showcase AI‑driven property‑data platforms from Home Factors and Eagleview, focusing on underwriting, catastrophe modeling,...
State Reverses Managed Medicaid for Nursing Homes After $91M Cost Spike in First Year
Indiana Governor Mike Braun signed bill HEA 1277, ending the state’s PathWays managed‑care Medicaid program for nursing‑home residents and reverting them to a fee‑for‑service (FFS) model starting July 1, 2027. A recent analysis showed PathWays cost the state $91 million more per year than...
Ex-Broker to Pay Clients $2.25 Million Over Risky Life Insurance Strategy
A FINRA arbitration panel ordered former broker Matthew K. Wilkes to pay $2.25 million to the Apostal family for recommending a premium‑financed indexed universal life insurance policy that proved unsuitable. The family had sought over $9.5 million, alleging massive commissions, breach of...
Feds Propose Rule to Help Employers Expand Fertility Benefit Coverage
The Trump administration has issued a proposed rule that would let employers treat fertility benefits—such as IVF, medication and diagnostic services—as “limited excepted” benefits, similar to dental and vision coverage. The rule sets a $120,000 lifetime cap, indexed for inflation...
Feds Propose Rule to Help Employers Expand Fertility Benefit Coverage
The Trump administration has issued a proposed rule that would let employers offer fertility benefits, such as IVF, as “limited excepted benefits” with a $120,000 lifetime cap that will be indexed for inflation after 2028. By classifying these benefits as...
As Legacy Market Gets Closer to Live, ILS Exit Opportunity Expected to Persist: IRLA Congress
The IRLA Congress in Brighton highlighted that the legacy and run‑off reinsurance market is increasingly trading like the live market, driven by capital‑light solutions and ILS exit products. Speakers cited growing use of forward‑exit options, rolling capital structures and casualty...
Willis Unveils Sensor-Based Parametric Flood Insurance Solution for UK Racecourses
Willis, the insurance broker of WTW, has introduced a sensor‑based parametric flood insurance product for UK racecourses, developed with Previsico, Descartes Underwriting and Generali. The solution installs flood‑depth sensors at each venue and triggers automatic payouts when pre‑set water‑level thresholds...
Businesses Losing Grip on Reputational Knowledge as Uncertainty Surges, Survey Finds
A Willis Towers Watson survey of 500 senior executives shows only 49% can accurately gauge their reputation, down from 61% in 2024. Perceived reputational risk appetite has fallen, with 56% reporting low appetite versus 36% previously, while the global reputation...
Mercury and Olympus Partner to Expand Florida Bundled Insurance
Mercury Insurance and Olympus Insurance have formed a partnership to offer bundled auto and homeowners policies to Florida consumers, featuring a 10% discount on each line of coverage. The collaboration equips independent agents with dedicated training, resources, and support tools...
Meeting the Demand for Resilient Construction
Cities nationwide are tightening building codes, offering mitigation grants and insurance incentives to boost resilient construction. A new national alliance between the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and roofing giant GAF has broadened access to the Fortified...
Auto Insurance Brokers for Canadians
Auto insurance brokers remain a cornerstone of the Canadian market because each province enforces its own rules, carriers have tightened underwriting, and independent brokers can compare multiple insurers. This multi‑carrier approach delivers better‑fitting coverage for drivers with prior incidents, multi‑vehicle...
TWIA Lifts Alamo Re 2026-1 Cat Bond Target Size to Between $600m and $750m
The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) has increased the target size of its Alamo Re Series 2026‑1 catastrophe bond to between $600 million and $750 million, up from the original $450 million goal. All three tranches – Class A, B and C –...
Florida Citizens Now Targets up to $600m of Reinsurance From Everglades Re II 2026-1 Cat Bond
Florida’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp has increased its reinsurance target for the Everglades Re II Ltd. Series 2026‑1 catastrophe bond from $450 million to as much as $600 million. The three tranches—Class A, B and C—have been expanded in size and their...
Insurance and Liability Shape Construction Decisions
Insurance and liability have become decisive factors in commercial construction, shaping everything from early risk assessments to daily material choices. Contractors now embed coverage limits and indemnity clauses into contracts to allocate exposure and avoid costly disputes. The cost of...