Digital Platforms

Replacing its existing system, Kaiser is betting that Pegasystems’ Customer Process Manager for Healthcare packaged solution will drive first-call resolution rates.

The office will contain the growing post-production client support services group as well as insurance business analysts, project managers and insurance technology staff.

Chicago-based broker pays $1.75 billion to acquire British reinsurer.

A new study says Americans would pay billions if Congress passes the Hurricane Insurance Proposal and another Katrina-like storm strikes.

Indianapolis — Blue Cross & Blue Shield Rhode Island (BCBSRI) has inked a deal with WellPoint NextRx, an independent pharmacy benefit management (PBM) company and a division of Indianapolis-based WellPoint, Inc., to offer the SureScripts-RxHub to physicians in Rhode Island.

New reports cite implications of vendor mergers on the important functions of creating and managing documents.

Sacramento, Calif. – Julie Davis believes that women working in insurance have the unique skill sets and innovative ideas that are keys to reforming the industry, and that risk-taking in bringing forth these innovations should be rewarded. The problem, Davis said, is that risk-taking is something women tend to avoid in the insurance industry.

Newark, N.J. — A new research report from Prudential Financial Inc. finds an increase in the average cost of long-term care ranging from 5% to 13%, varying by type of service, in the past two years alone. The findings are significant in light of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, which estimates that by 2030, the number of Americans aged 65 and older will more than double to 71 million, comprising approximately 20% of the U.S. population.

Tallahassee, Fla. — The travails of Allstate Cos. in Florida are at an end after the company reached a limited agreement with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.

Hartford, Conn., - Information sharing among Internet users via Web-based communities such as social-networking sites is apparently becoming a real liability threat for many organizations.

Sweeping action to overhaul insurance regulation unnecessary, association says.

Association says bills affirms state-based regulation of the insurance industry.

Tool helps underwriters to quickly assess risks globally.

The MIB Life Index reports that North American application activity for individually underwritten life insurance was down last mont, off -0.2% year-over-year.

Forrester Research lists service-oriented architecture (SOA), business process management (BPM), mobility and X Internet as trends that will drive a dramatic change in technology adoption and use.

A new reference model should hasten efforts by insurers to achieve straight-through processing.

New research finds that incorporating analytics into governance, risk management and compliance (GRC) initiatives offers organizations the opportunity to capitalize on improved operational efficiencies.

Based on recent survey results from Aon Consulting, actuaries expect costs to rise an average of 10.6% during 12-month rating periods starting this year between April and September.

Association says proposed changes to the arbitration system are unfair.

insurance_technology_handheld_mobile_device_retirement

Letter asks senators to scuttle Insurance Information Act

The Chicago vendor is endorsed by the Independent Health Insurance Agent Association (IHIAA) for its suite of quote engines, agent Web sites, e-mail autoresponders and lead management systems.

The planned acquisition of AIX Holdings follows two other acquisitions The Hanover has made in recent months to build out its product and service capabilities for its agent partners.

A survey of driving habits shows that annual mileage driven on American roads is declining, mainly because of a reduction in discretionary use of vehicles.

Washington - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) offered some dire predictions today, stating that the Atlantic hurricane season will be more active than forecasters first predicted, with up to 10 hurricanes expected to form.

A new report says because of their ubiquity, producers must strive to make their portals exceptional.

Based on their banking colleagues experiences with the implementation of the Basel II accord, Aon recommends European insurers ready themselves for Solvency II long before 2012.

Health insurer expands an online community of healthcare information sharing.

Northbrook, Ill. — A unique marketing initiative by Allstate Insurance Co. will expand its Allstate Green electronic payment option initiative to eight states, make good on local green promises and leave its mark as a corporation that cares about the environment.

The transition to the global use of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) may create dramatic change in insurance products, investment strategies, risk management and M&A activities.

The rate of claims may be down, but medical costs and permanent total claims across all industries, regions, and payroll sizes are increasing.

The prospect of an optional federal charter for insurers gets another airing.

Needham, Mass. - In June 2008, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released a proposal to reclassify the annuity products referred to as fixed indexed annuities or equity indexed annuities (indexed annuities) as securities. New research from Needham, Mass.-based TowerGroup Inc. finds that this proposal has far-reaching implications for the insurance companies and agents selling the products.

NAPCO EXPANDS USE OF AIR CATASTROPHE MODELS

PATNI RELEASES AUTOMATED FRAMEWORK FOR INSURANCE

Seattle - The shareholders of Safeco Corp. voted overwhelmingly to approve the merger agreement entered into on April 23, 2008 with Liberty Mutual Group. Of those Safeco shareholders who voted, 99.5% voted to approve the transaction. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Liberty Mutual will acquire all outstanding shares of common stock of Safeco for $68.25 per share, in cash. The transaction is not subject to financing contingencies.

Leasing Equipment Answer Capital Preservation

Insurers need to go beyond the traditional definition of innovation and develop a culture in which new ideas are a part of the DNA and touch all sides of the industry, says Aon EVP.

As providers seek to improve patient satisfaction and associated business outlook, many are turning to electronic health records as one way to become more efficient and improve their operations.

According to Novarica research, companies need to look past hype and concentrate on creating business value.

The Center for Health Value Innovation directors gathered to discuss emerging trends and their relevance to health improvement and innovation.

National Indemnity Co. rapidly launches Fiserv’s Advance Billing solution.

Under the new organization, MajescoMastek has formed two divisions focused on meeting the specific needs of insurance carriers.

Congress holds hearing on the regulation of long-term care insurance.

A new study reveals that fewer than 50% of large enterprises rate their tools as “good” in maintaining high performance of applications on their corporate networks.

While insurers’ policy admin systems may have all the functionality they need right now, Celent warns that it might not be able to scale to support their business in the future.

The Japanese carrier is paying approximately $4.7 billion to acquire the Pennsylvania-based commercial property/casualty insurer.

A new report says sovereign wealth funds may target insurers for investment.

Architecture challenges and performance concerns are hampering life insurers’ adoption of software as a service for their policy administration systems.

The P&C insurer is launching a new Web site to educate its distribution network.

The Chicago-based insurer issued a client bulletin to provide healthcare managers with risk management guidance on responding to serious medical errors.

The effort to reform agent licensing passes subcommittee.