Digital Platforms

App from Jarus Customer Center includes policy inquiry, online payment, accident help, submit claim and policy documents.

Employers with fewer than 100 workers won’t have to provide health insurance until 2016 under Obamacare, as the administration said it would again delay a key requirement of the health law.

The Bright Choices Exchange is designed to offer ancillary benefits and access to mid-sized and large employers nationwide.

Pet insurance has been the fastest growing category in insurance sales despite the squeeze on household incomes.

The sales of life/annuity policy administration systems in North America will continue at a slow pace for the next few years, the research and advisory firm predicts.

A survey of financial services executives finds companies investing in technology, people and processes, yet readiness levels are low and stress levels are high.

Insurance CEOs are overwhelmingly optimistic about growth and hiring, but more than half are concerned about their ability to manage technological change and new market entrants, according to survey.

Mark Bertolini tells investors health plans allowed to continue in 2014 though they don’t comply with new Obamacare rules may be extended for as long as three years.

Accenture survey finds that $400 billion in insurance premiums could change hands within the industry over the next 12 months.

Moderation trend continues, MarketScout says.

As Cigna this week became one of the first insurers to announce its own online marketplace — amid countless others created by brokers, consultants and tech firms — some say the definition of this concept has become muddied.

The insurers’ strategy is an unexpected consequence as the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, kicks into gear.

A Frost & Sullivan report finds that while merger activity declined in deal volume in 2013, the average transaction value went up.

SurePower Innovation intended to lessen risk for P&C companies writing personal, commercial and specialty lines.

Most IT security practitioners are either unable or unsure of how to conduct e-discovery analysis on mobile devices, survey finds.

Insurer reaffirms its 2014 forecast citing better-than-expected Medicare membership growth.

Net income rose to $675 million, or $1.45 a share, from $581 million, or $1.24, a year earlier.

American Association for Long Term Care Insurance reports 13-percent increase in paid long-term care insurance benefits.

Industry associations offer testimony on the FIO report, largely agreeing that the industry does not require a significant overhaul, restructuring or federal oversight.

Operating profit, which excludes some investment results, was 94 cents a share.

Health plans offered through government-run insurance exchanges may be required to cover 30 percent of "essential community providers" in each county in 2015, an increase from 20 percent this year.

Gartner predicts that by 2015, 25 percent of large global organizations will have appointed CDOs.

A slew of new products and data sources emphasize the speed with which the insurance industry is changing, which could threaten “fast followers,” according to Strategy Meets Action.

Farah Foustok, CEO of the business in the region, is among those leaving.

Strategy Meets Action Founder Deb Smallwood discusses the current landscape of collaboration, opportunities and challenges that come with it and action items for insurers.Throughout January, Smallwood details each of SMAs five next-generation technologies — analytics and big data, mobile technologies, collaboration technologies, cloud computing and telematics.To find out how the research and consulting firm came to these five, click here. No. 1: Analytics and Big DataNo. 2: Mobile TechnologiesCheck back next week for next-gen technology No. 4: Cloud Computing.

Predictive modeling is recognized as a transformative ability, but one that must be tempered by maturity, patience and understanding, says the insurer’s chief enterprise business analytics scientist.

In a 67-32 vote, the Senate passed the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2013; industry associations respond.

‘AutoLink’ technology intended to help manage and streamline physical damage appraisal process.

Imperial Fire & Casualty Selects Innovation Group Products

Combined ratios fall; increased scrutiny, regulatory changes and political uncertainty rank among top concerns.

Bolt Platform is expected to enable 8,000 Citizens agents to provide multiple private market quotes.

‘DriveAbility 2.0 Score’ to offer version equipped with GPS.

A series of nine massive-open-online classes now is open for enrollment and free to anyone.

Insurer uses text messaging, a new app featuring social capabilities and good-natured competition to attract new customers.

WellPoint added 500,000 new members since Obamacare enrollment began and while they are older and sicker than current members, CEO isn’t worried about the risk pool.

Fewer people are shopping for auto insurance, declining 4 percent in the 12 months ended June 2013, compared to all of 2012, according to TransUnion’s "Auto Insurance Shopping Index."

In the next three to four years, apps will no longer simply be confined to smartphones and tablets, but will impact a wider set of devices, from home appliances to cars and wearable devices, says Gartner research director.

Network technology and application/database security top the list, according to a survey from Novarica.

‘Life Waiver Tools’ to assist in the processing and adjudication of waiver-of-premium claims.

Reforms, supported by Obama administration, would increase premiums.

HB 2662, introduced for the 2014 legislative session, would authorize insurers to conduct all transactions with policyholders over the Internet.

Products intended to enable streamlined product development and improved customer services.

Risk Administration Services Selects Tropics Software Technologies

IT infrastructure managers must simultaneously capture the next rounds of efficiencies, accelerate the transition to next-generation infrastructure, reduce risks, and improve organizational execution.

Ninety-five percent of payers say publicly funded HIEs are struggling with flawed business models and are not providing meaningful connectivity.

Achmea and CZ look to the framework to reduce costs and fraud within their organizations.

Customer service rises in importance as a business driver and cost containment declines, according to Strategy Meets Action.

Higher enrollment should benefit WellPoint Inc., Humana Inc. and other managed-care insurers that rely on a large and diverse patient-mix to balance out the costs of coverage.

“We were the most disrespected brand name on the planet and now we have come back,” says Chairman Steve Miller.

Our critical next step is to enlarge and enrich the conversation and broaden it to encompass business impacts, leadership issues and succession planning for the insurance sector to ensure the future leadership and impact of this aging industry.

New business unit consolidates recently acquired Extend Health, Liazon and others to help employers deliver health benefits to employees, company says.

Strategy Meets Action Founder Deb Smallwood discusses the current landscape of mobile technologies, opportunities and challenges that come with it and action items for insurers.Throughout January, Smallwood details each of SMAs five next-generation technologies — analytics and big data, mobile technologies, collaboration technologies, cloud computing and telematics.To find out how the research and consulting firm came to these five, click here. Watch next-gen technology No. 1: Analytics and Big DataCheck back next week for next-gen technology No. 3: Collaboration.