Day: December 14, 2021

Faulty landing system disrupts over 110 flights

A fault in the landing system at New Zealand’s Wellington Airport forced the cancelation or delay of more than 110 flights on Dec. 14.

Deadly tornadoes to cost insurers about $3 billion: KCC

Catastrophe modeling firm Karen Clark & Co. said Tuesday it expects insured losses of about $3 billion from the swarm of tornadoes and severe convective storms that caused destruction in parts of the United States this month.

Pharmacy, pharmacist lose licenses because of contact with claimants

A divided Arkansas Court of Appeals upheld the suspension of the licenses of a pharmacy and pharmacist based on their communications with three workers compensation claimants and their physicians.

DentalWorks USA rebranding as HeadsUp Healthcare

DentalWorks USA, a Tampa, Florida-based provider of dental care for injured workers, announced it is rebranding as HeadsUp Healthcare and expanding services to include all injuries above the neck.

Group health insurance costs jump 6.3% in 2021: Mercer

Health insurance costs for employers increased the most in over a decade this year as Americans resumed non-urgent procedures delayed due to the earlier COVID-19 pandemic, according to benefits consultant Mercer.

SCOTUS lets stand New York vax mandate without religious exemptions

The U.S. Supreme Court on Dec. 13 declined to block New York’s coronavirus vaccine mandate for health care workers, which does not allow for religious exemptions.

Price transparency efforts uneven, limiting effectiveness: JAMA

A new rule requiring U.S. hospitals to disclose negotiated prices for some services is providing only a partial picture of the cost of care, limiting its value to patients trying to comparison shop, concludes a study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Consumer satisfaction with telemedicine wanes

Despite overall satisfaction of consumers with telemedicine, patients were less impressed by the services this year as compared to last, according to a new report from Rock Health.

Measure would require most employers to offer retirement savings plan

Pennsylvania lawmakers are advocating for legislation that they say would make it easier for workers in the state to save for retirement.

U.S. storms make 2021 one of most costly years for insurers

Hurricane Ida and a winter storm that brought freezing temperatures to Texas have made 2021 one of the costliest years on record for insurers, Swiss Re said Tuesday.

Traffic controller fined over fall protection hazards in fatality

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Friday affirmed a prior order issuing two serious citations and a $12,675 penalty against a road construction company for its safety failures in the accidental death of an employee.

MedRisk promotes Jakovcic to chief technology officer

MedRisk LLC, a Pennsylvania-based managed care organization focused on rehabbing injured workers, announced on Tuesday it has promoted John Jakovcic to chief technology officer, a new position.

Insurtech forms captive to take cyber risk

Insurtech Coalition Inc. on Monday said it has formed a Hawaii-based captive insurer to back its cyber insurance programs.

Wisconsin lawmakers aim to amend PTSD presumption

Wisconsin lawmakers are considering legislation that would amend the states current workers compensation presumption for post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by first responders.

Hamilton hires former James River execs

Hamilton Insurance Group Ltd. said Tuesday it has hired two former James River Group Holdings Ltd. executives as senior underwriting leaders in its U.S. excess and surplus lines business.

Inflation puts pressure on insurers, policyholders

The 6.8% annual increase in the consumer price index reported last week provided more evidence of higher inflationary trends in the United States, but economists and insurance industry executives say the higher prices may be only a short- or medium-term issue for the sector.