Policy adminstration

European insurers need to be become more cost-efficient to counter stagnating premiums.

What’s hidden below the surface is what drives disproportionate cost in your organization.

A global panel of consultants and senior executives, some of whom work with insurance industry clients, say that building the project manager’s (PM) influence, accelerating new leadership and communication skills, and increased use of informal learning approaches such as social media and experiential training are among key themes for 2011 project management professionals. The global panel of experts was assembled by ESI International, a subsidiary of Informa plc that delivers consulting and education services, to identify top trends for 2011.

Best-in-class, high ROI ERP implementations do not always cost more if well managed, Aberdeen research finds.

We know mainframes can take a pounding, but they also need to be responsive and Web-aware.

U.S. carriers comprise only 20% of A.M. Best's annual list of largest insurers ranked by total assets, and just 36% when ordered by net written premiums.

Under the rule, ONC will select one organization to accredit entities wishing to become a health IT certification body.

In the year to come, popular sentiment will push wireless device growth in insurance/financial services, but increasing security problems will push back.

Despite the prevalence of the trusted adviser model, relationships are expensive and at low premium levels, not worth the investment.

Registration for Medicaid MU programs in 11 states started this week.

Moody's rates Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corp., Fitch affirms Northwestern Mutual Life, S&P removes State Auto from it CreditWatch list.

Chad Hersh to keynote the Insurance Core Systems Summit in April 2011.

The memorandum of understanding marks the first formal coordination effort between states and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Legacy replacement, mobile applications and better use of analytics are among the issues confronting insurers.

National health insurer Aetna this week announced its formal acquisition of Medicity, a health information exchange technology company from Salt Lake City. The move is seen by many as a proactive approach to meeting health care reform requirements.

Of particular interest for many in 2011 will be mobile, social media and PFM that make for more efficient customer service.

Kelser Corp., a provider of technology products and services to the insurance and financial markets, announced today the completion of its acquisition of HSG Global Services, Inc., a Massachusetts-based business consulting and outsourcing firm specializing in business improvement. The buyout comes only a few months after Kelser announced an internal ownership transfer and corporate rebranding. According to Kelser, the HSG acquisition helps fulfill key management, staff, and process requirements necessary to carry out the mid and long term strategic objectives of the company.

Industry group Agents of America (AOA) reports that it has formed a strategic partnership with the Professional Liability Committee of the Defense Research Institute (DRI). DRI is an international organization of attorneys devoted to the defense of businesses and individuals in civil litigation. It consists of approximately 22,000 members, including defense attorneys, corporate counsel, and insurance claims attorneys. Known as “The Voice of the Defense Bar,” DRI says that it is committed to educating and enhancing the professionalism of defense lawyers, and to improving the overall civil justice system.

Wall Street validates 2010 as a stellar year for insurance shares.

Oversight of the Dodd-Frank Act has become the prevailing theme for lawmakers as they discuss their agendas, but will substantive changes occur?