> Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield and Providence Health Plan will address the Oregon insurance department about their rate increase requests, the Portland Business Journal reported. Regence wants to raise rates by 9.6 percent, and Providence requested a 15.7 hike. Article
> Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska will sell health plans in the Omaha area that allow consumers to save money by using doctors and hospitals affiliated with the Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Methodist Health System, according to the Omaha World-Herald. Article
> Highmark has reached a tentative settlement with real estate firm Royal Mile, which alleged that Highmark and UPMC conspired to raise insurance premiums, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. Article
> The insurance industry is still profitable, with UnitedHealth, CIGNA, WellPoint, Aetna Humana and Coventry Health Care reporting year-over-year earnings growth, according to NASDAQ. Article
> And Finally… Your job = death sentence. Article