Highmark wants small practices using EHRs; Delaware insurers must cover prosthetics;

> Cigna will now be facing a class-action lawsuit for denying claims for applied behavior therapy to treat autism, reports Insurance Network News. Article

> Highmark is partnering with West Penn Allegheny Health System, Accenture, and Allscripts to persuade more small practices to embrace electronic health records, according to InformationWeek. The program will begin in September and might include Highmark providing financial incentives to its physicians for acquiring EHRs. Article

> Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan must extend its deadline for several thousand seniors with Medigap insurance to verify their state residency or face a large rate increase, reports the Detroit Free Press. The extension was issued after the Blues notified 8,900 subscribers it thought lived out of state and gave them 30 days to verify Michigan residency. Article

> The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) says the two nationwide insurance plans that will be created alongside the state-by-state health insurance exchanges must be held to the same standards as their smaller competitors, The Hill's Healthwatch reports. Although the plans will be national, NAIC wants them to comply with each state's laws and meet any additional standards the states set for their respective exchanges. Article

> Insurers in Delaware must provide coverage starting Jan. 1, 2012 for prosthetic care that is equal to coverage offered for other medical services, WDEL reports. Article

And Finally... If you can't mimic different accents, it might be your brain's fault. Article