North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley and a squad of legislators from both parties recently rolled out a patients bill of rights-a package of managed care reform bills designed to tear down the impediments to medical treatment that consumers and doctors encounter from insurance companies. Among other steps, the legislation would create a state-supervised review board to hear appeals from patients whose HMO didn't pay for treatment. It would also give patients greater power to sue their HMO after first appealing to the review board, as well as create an ombudsman office in the State Department of Insurance to help consumers confront their HMO. Under the proposed legislation, managed care plans would be required to continue to cover pregnancies and surgery, for example, even if the doctor leaves the insurance plan in the course of treatment. It's not clear how the legislation would affect managed care plans other than HMOs.
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State senator Roland Gutierrez points to National Weather Service cuts, and denial of mitigation project funding. Former FEMA administrator says cuts will worsen disaster impact on smaller communities.
July 11 -
The insurtech's core mission is to use technology to deliver comprehensive digital legal documents and attorney support at an affordable price point.
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It's a critical time for insurers to assess technology investments and infrastructure
July 10Genpact -
Bars and restaurants are still catching up on how to serve these products safely and compliantly.
July 9CannGen -
Nationwide purchases Allstate Stop Loss for $1.25 billion and Munich Re acquires Next Insurance for $2.6 billion, plus more news.
July 9 -
Lenders and other businesses active in the state also stepped up with large donations and charitable campaigns in the days following the flooding disaster.
July 8