Volcano that once killed 25,000 people becomes active again
The Colombian Geological Service said that the Nevado del Ruiz volcano in western Colombia showed “noticeable” activity on Nov. 13, igniting fears of yet another eruption.
Facebook says hackers in Pakistan targeted Afghan users
Hackers from Pakistan used Facebook to target people in Afghanistan with connections to the previous government during the Taliban’s takeover of the country, the company’s threat investigators said in an interview with Reuters.
Double-dipping telecom worker to pay $14K in restitution
A telecom worker who failed to report outside employment after saying a slip-and-fall injury prevented him from working was ordered to pay $14,000 in restitution, the California Department of Insurance announced.
Award to mechanic for wrist injury overturned
A split West Virginia Supreme Court overturned an award of benefits to a mechanic for a wrist injury suffered within days of his return to work following surgery.
New Alzheimer’s drug, pandemic fuel 15% Medicare premium hike
Monthly premiums that cover physician and outpatient care for Medicare patients will increase by 15% next year, the Biden administration said in a notice Nov. 12.
Ohio city sees 3.5% premium increase for benefits program
Macedonia, Ohio will see about a 3.5% increase, or $56,000, in premiums for its medical, prescriptions, dental and vision insurance coverage for city employees in 2022, with total premiums of about $1.64 million.
New Jersey telehealth payment parity bill vetoed
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has vetoed a bill that would have made payment parity for telehealth permanent in the state, after the rule was adopted on an emergency basis for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Old pension reforms for transit workers hold up infrastructure funds
The U.S. Labor Department determined California is ineligible for federal money for public transit, putting in jeopardy about $12 billion in grants including a portion of the infrastructure spending Congress approved, because of state pension reforms in 2013.
Making ACA subsidies permanent could ensure coverage in next pandemic: RAND
Enhanced tax credits and a prohibition on dropping people off Medicaid helped prevent many people in New York from losing health coverage during the pandemic, according to a new study by RAND Corp.
NRA loses federal appeal over New York gun store closures
A federal appeals court Tuesday ruled against the National Rifle Association in its lawsuit challenging New York state’s closing of gun stores early in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Smithfield agrees to change health procedures, training
Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp., the countrys largest pork processor, has agreed to assemble a team of company and third-party experts to develop an infectious disease preparedness plan that the company will implement at each of its processing facilities nationwide, in a settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor.
Court affirms stay on vaccine mandate; OSHA prepares ratification
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans on Friday reaffirmed its prior temporary injunction against implementation or enforcement of the Occupational Safety and Health Administrations emergency temporary standard mandating COVID-19 vaccination and testing.
BRP to buy Construction Risk Partners
Acquisitive brokerage BRP Group Inc. announced Tuesday that its Baldwin Krystyn Sherman Partners LLC subsidiary has agreed to buy rival broker Construction Risk Partners LLC.
Insurance rate hikes expected to moderate as capacity rises
Commercial insurance buyers in North America should see relief from the hard market next year with a few lines seeing flat renewals or even decreases, according to a report from Willis Towers Watson PLC.
London insurtech taps former Aon exec as chief analytics officer
Concirrus Ltd. has named former Aon PLC executive Brian MacInnes as its chief analytics officer.
Willis signs deal to buy Israeli broker
Willis Towers Watson PLC said Tuesday that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Leaderim, an insurance broking and risk consultancy business in Israel.
Opioid ruling too broad: West Virginia Supreme Court
The West Virginia Supreme Court said Monday a lower courts order prohibiting insurers from pursuing litigation against an opioid pharmaceutical distributor in other states was overly broad.
Zurich appoints tort reform advocate
Zurich North America said Tuesday it has named Allen Kirsh to the new position of head of claims judicial and legislative affairs.
Employers face tough call on vaccine exemptions
Contending that a religious accommodation request not to have a COVID-19 vaccination poses an undue hardship may be the most effective way for companies to deal with the deluge of such employee requests, experts say.
Cleveland baseball teams name problem resolved
The Cleveland Indians had apparently thought their name problems were behind them when they announced in July, in response to criticisms about their name evoking stereotypes, they were changing their name to the Guardians.