News From Around the Web
> The new CEO of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, former Sen. Ben Nelson, will push to keep federal officials from taking over states' regulatory authority of the health insurance market, Insurance & Technology reported. Article
> A Michigan lawmaker introduced a bill that would require state residents purchase separate health insurance that would cover elective abortions; insurers wouldn't be required to offer such coverage, reported the Lansing State Journal. Article
> Aetna wants to increase rates by an average of 16.3 percent for about 15,500 members with individual plans. Spokesman Walt Cherniak said the rate hike is based on "our experience in the market" and anticipated medical cost increases, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported. Article
Provider News
> The U.S. Supreme Court sided with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services when the high court on Tuesday refused to allow extensions for Medicare reimbursement appeals beyond the usual 180 days or three years for good cause. Article
> The American Hospital Association said hospitals are a major contributor to a healthy economy, employing nearly 5.5 million people and indirectly supporting 15.4 million jobs. Article
Health IT News
> Most states are upgrading their IT infrastructure to the new web-based Medicaid enrollment coming in 2014. Article
> An employee of an outside contractor for the Utah Department of Health lost an unencrypted USB memory stick containing personal information for 6,000 Medicaid clients. Article
And Finally… Want to avoid a migraine? Move away from lightning. Article