Health insurance Chief Executives summoned to the White House Thursday by the government's top health official were informed more data needed to be disclosed to justify the sharp premium increases.

As President Barack Obama presses Congress to deliver the final legislation within the next few weeks, in a bid to build support for its healthcare overhaul, the White House's campaign had the dressing down televised.

As medical insurance stakeholders lock horns over remuneration, consumer activists feel if policy holders want to get the best deal, they will need to play a more proactive role, by researching before zeroing in on a policy or insurance firm. In other words, activists say an informed choice is what consumers need to make.

A full-blown war between doctors and Third Party Administrators (TPAs) over fees and unpaid dues has left hospitalised patients stranded, making it time for regulators to step in.

According to a study released Thursday, changes to Medicare, the federal health plan for the elderly will prove detrimental to important aspects of cancer care in the United States, as many cancer care centres have been losing money on patients, and some may be forced out of business due to the cuts.

The findings of the report commissioned by the Community Oncology Alliance, carry important implications for healthcare reform in Congress, as well as, requiring immediate attention from Medicare.

Commissioner David Stevens announced big changes Wednesday, at Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA), the government mortgage insurer, meant to shore up its beleaguered balance sheet, as a result of backing almost half of all home loans to minorities groups.

The up-front Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) paid by borrowers, will be raised for the second time in two years, from 1.75% to 2.25%, including the legislative authority requested for increasing the maximum annual MIP FHA can charge.

Before going on for reverse mortgage in 2010, everyone should check the new guidelines proposed by the federal regulatory agencies this month.

While the guidelines are aimed at banks and credit unions, they very neatly sum up potential consumer pitfalls in the fast-growing field of reverse-mortgages, typically restricted to home-owners 62-plus with untapped real estate equity available and wanting to liquefy it into hard cash.

Entering into a partnership with China Life Insurance Co., AMP Ltd., Australia's biggest provider of pension plans, will cooperate with China's biggest insurer in areas like asset management and pensions.

The agreement offers AMP significant potential for expanding its business in what is considered to be the world's fastest-growing economy.

Paris based AXA, certainly the biggest insurer in France, is looking forward to fund the potential acquisitions in a certain sector that has been terribly affected by the current financial crisis. The bankers at HSBC and BNP Paribas have also been prearranged to proceed the works on the necessities for the capital - raising.

A rights offer to raise about 2 Billion Euros, that amounts to about $2.98 Billion, has been launched by AXA. The deal is expected to issue about 174.11 Million shares at a minimum and 11.90 Euros is the offering rate for the new shares.

According to a new state report, private health insurers are racking up profits on health coverage sold to 10,000 Massachusetts student subscribers than on plans available to the general public. However, student plans have been found to have higher administrative costs, with less of the premiums students pay going towards medical care.