The Obama administration made the right call last week by denying Florida's waiver request that would have let the state's health insurers charge more for less care. Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty's case for exempting Florida from a requirement that health insurers spend at least 80 percent of premium dollars on medical care was weak and disingenuous. He appeared more interested in protecting the profits of insurers and reflecting Gov. Rick Scott's antipathy toward health care reform than looking out for Florida health insurance consumers. The administration's denial was well deserved.
One feature of the Affordable Care Act that went into effect this year adopts a "medical loss ratio" standard requiring heath insurers in the individual market to spend 80 percent of each premium dollar on reimbursements for medical services or health care quality improvement rather than on high overhead and administration. (Large employer plans must meet an 85 percent medical loss ratio.) Insurers that don't meet that standard must issue rebates to their customers.
But McCarty formally objected to the standard, asking the administration for a medical loss ratio adjustment to 68 percent, 72 percent and 76 percent for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively. He claimed that without this waiver Florida's individual health insurance market would be destabilized, pointing to four insurers who threatened to leave the state. But as the 16-page denial from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes, the four companies combined had fewer than 300 policyholders. Moreover, the administration found in a detailed analysis that most health insurers in Florida's individual market already meet the 80 percent standard, are sufficiently profitable to provide rebates if needed, or are already adapting to give consumers better value for their premium dollar.
In a win for Florida consumers, the administration found there was no need to delay implementation of the rule. McCarty's attempt to bypass consumer protections either to help health insurance executives or to appease Scott appropriately failed.
In granting the 8.9 percent rate hike, Kevin McCarty, the state's insurance commissioner, said Florida would still have the lowest workers' compensation insurance rates among the largest states. He noted that even with the increase, rates would be 58.6

The Obama administration made the right call last week by denying Florida's waiver request that would have let the state's health insurers charge more for less care. Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty's case for exempting Florida from a

“We think that this is a very good decision for the insurance consumers in the state of Florida,” said Steve Larsen, the federal official who signed the denial letter. “It's going to ensure that they continue to get value for their premium dollars.

TALLAHASSEE — Florida policymakers are still trying to overcome the outbreak of the populism in 2007 that led them to try to lower insurance rates in hurricane alley by expanding the size and competitiveness of the state-run Citizens Property

Here's what that looks like in a map drawn up by consulting firm Avalere Health: Of all the pending applications, none has drawn as much attention as Florida. It is the largest state to apply for a waiver and has the most competitive insurance market,
Sarasota Home Owners Insurance
By: Jay Henderson
Sarasota, FL arguably is one of the most incredible places to reside in the United States. Featuring its lovely beaches and humid subtropical climate, Sarasota is a popular place to settle however getting Sarasota insurance could be a rocky problem. In the following paragraphs we will focus on the elective in addition to important coverages for people who live in Sarasota, FL along with other cities in Florida.
Dwelling protection is a vital piece of home ownership making it an expense usually deemed as part of the standard maintenance and protection of your dwelling. In most places it is also mandated by your mortgage lender, but exactly much home insurance do you require?
The very least coverage may complement some home owners, but most require supplementary forms of coverage that the standard polices don't include. So what are the choices of coverage property insurance policies generally provide, and exactly how can you ascertain how much home insurance you actually need?
Will I Need Disaster Insurance? While disaster insurance that covers natural occurrences like floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes is usually costly, if you live within an area where these kind of events occur very often the cost of replacing your premises will unquestionably far exceed the expense of the insurance coverage. In the case of disaster insurance it is a concern of managing risk, financial conditions, and satisfaction.
For citizens in the State of Florida selecting the most appropriate property insurance can be a tricky and puzzling project. For residents within the Gulf Coast of Florida like Sarasota, distance to the coast plays a consideration in premiums together with age and materials used to build the home.
And lastly, to my home state of #Florida & why pols are *finally* fixing taxpayer-backed insurance funds (a fiscal mess)
: MY loan company added almost $ 5,000.00 to my loan for one year of flood insurance premiums to me that is high...