Times-Tribune says PA better uphold health insurance regulator’s duties

Highmark has filed a lawsuit saying Commissioner Ario has no right to look into its contract agreements.

Center for American Progress: Insurance companies in PA are especially in need of a reality check

We should start by keeping Pennsylvanians apprised on what its health insurance companies are up to, says David Balto.

Health insurers are ready to battle hospitals over reimbursement rates

Health insurers are fighting demands by hospitals for sharply higher reimbursement rates by threatening to drop the hospitals from their health-plan networks, and blaming them for higher insurance premiums, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Highmark is suing the PA Dept. of Insurance

The health insurance company says the department plans to use illegal obtained information in a public document, among other charges.

Blue Cross vs. Pharmacies battle illustrates biggest difficulty in healthcare reform

So says Wilkes-Barre’s The Citizens Voice.

Be careful relying on the internet to search for a doctor, warns the Post-Gazette

“Two years ago, WellPointe, a huge insurance company with health-care providers all over the country — teamed with survey maven Zagat to establish online physician ratings,” reports the newspaper. “In short, many doctors who ordered fewer tests for patients received higher recommendations from the insurers’ websites.”

Read more: http://www.postgazette.com/pg/10069/1041397-114.stm#ixzz0hmhNFvBn

The White House had a talk with 5 major health insurance companies yesterday

Insurance companies are pointing their finger at hospitals, saying they’re to blame for rising premiums.

Highmark aiming to reduce staff by 300, at first through voluntary buyouts

Highmark said it lost about 100,000 subscribers in 2009.

Obama admin warns that double-digit increases in health insurance premiums are approaching

The announcement comes as the President continues to push for healthcare reform.

Independence Blue Cross changing 3 plans; customers worried

The replacement plans will be more expensive, and provide less coverage.