10/23/2008 News For: Blue Shield Supplement InsuranceBlue Cross Blue Shield of ND cancels forum amid contract talks Last week, the Blues announced that a financial rating firm had downgraded the health insurer's outlook from stable to negative. The Blues called attention to the more pessimistic outlook after its request for a 14.9 percent premium rate increase recently was denied. Advertisement: BRIAN KALK ELECT BRIAN KALK - Public Service Commission VOTE BRIAN KALK NOVEMBER 4TH PUBLIC SERVICE ... WellPoint earnings fall as investments decline A shaky financial market helped push WellPoint Inc.'s third-quarter profit down more than 5 percent, but company leaders said Wednesday tough times could create buying opportunities for the insurer. The operator of Blue Cross and Blue Shield health plans said net income fell to $820.7 million, or $1.60 per share, compared with $868 million, or $1.45 per share, in the same quarter last year. ... Let?s Go Walking Down Main Street campaign to be held Nov. 8 Main Street Greenwood is encouraging citizens to participate in a walk Nov. 8 as part of a campaign to encourage healthy lifestyles. The ?Let?s Go Walking Down Main Street? program is sponsored by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi and the state?s 66 Main Street Associations. Health Care Service Corporation to Acquire TMG Health in Support of Government Business Growth Strategy Health Care Service Corporation , which operates the Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, has entered into an agreement to acquire TMG Health, the nation's leading provider of business process outsourcing for Medicare, Medicaid and group retiree health plans. BUSINESS HONOR: AARP recognizes Horizon Blue Cross Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey was named one of the 50 best employers in the United States for workers over 50 by the AARP. Blue Financial Ratings | Video Blue Cross Blue Shield has been asking to raise its rates, and the North Dakota State Insurance Commissioner has so far denied the request. Today, the Blues say they`re seeing fallout. Chief Executive Officer Mike Unhjem says one of their key financial ratings has been lowered. Children May Not Have Health Insurance Even Though Parents Do Having a parent with health insurance does not always guarantee coverage of children and teens. Jennifer E. DeVoe, M.D., D.Phil. Oregon Health & Science University, Portland and colleagues write in the October 22/29 issue of JAMA that even with at least one parent insured, about 4% of US children are not covered by any health insurance at some point during the year. High number of children and teens in US uninsured despite having a parent with health insurance Approximately 4 percent of U.S. children and adolescents have a gap in health insurance coverage at some point during the year, even though they have at least one parent who is insured, according to a study in the October 22/29 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on the Health of the Nation. Sullivan County may fund 1/3 of Bristol road study, switches insurance provider Sullivan County taxpayers could foot one-third of the bill to have a private company study extending a road from near Bristol Regional Medical Center, in Bristol?s city limits, out into the county. BusinessNorth Exclusives Co-ops emerge to buy group health insurance Four northwest counties? Douglas, Ashland, Bayfield and Price? recently were added into plans for a health insurance purchasing cooperative covering the western part of the state. |




