Two independent insurance agent trade groups will merge on Oct 1. The Wisconsin Employee Benefits Advisors, a state association for independent health insurance agents and professionals, will merge into the Independent Insurance Agents of Wisconsin in a move that will…
In its second such acquisition in less than a year, Madison-based American Family Insurance announced it will purchase a direct property-casualty insurer. American Family will spend about $616 million to acquire Homesite Group, Inc. of Boston, a buy-direct homeowners insurer,…
The Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance has completed its initial analysis of insurance rate filings in the individual market. While the OCI admits there is no apples-to-apples way to predict premiums because of the many variables involved, it…
Suffice to say, the American workforce looks very different now than it did in 2007. First, the size of the workforce is still smaller as the national economy struggles to create jobs at a faster pace. Second, more part-time jobs are being created as some employers try to stay below the 50-employee “pay or play” threshold established by the Affordable Care Act. Third, a fair number of larger companies continue to sit on their cash rather than ramp up hiring, prompting elected officials like Madison Mayor Paul Soglin to implore them to employ.
Although it doesn’t kick in until 2018, the so-called “Cadillac” tax on high-cost health plans is already on employers’ radar. It’s not dead center of the screen, but off to the side and gaining speed, even with all the other Affordable Care Act balls in the air and even after employers got some welcome breathing room with the one-year delay of the law’s employer mandate.
Physicians Plus Insurance Corp. lost $7.9 million during the first quarter of 2013. That follows a tough 2012, when Physicians Plus lost $30.3 million. Also in the first quarter, Dean Health Plan lost $1.9 million and Group Health Cooperative lost…
WPS Health Insurance will open the WPS Health and Wellness Center, an on-site clinic for employees, at its Monona headquarters. QuadMed, a Sussex-based company that operates 36 clinics in 22 states, will run the clinic, which will be available to…
Are you Executive Register material? Time to make sure IB has all of your current information as we get ready to select the Executive Register Class of 2013, Dane County’s business executive who’s who! Be sure to add or update your…
After a rocky start to 2011 thanks to some catastrophic weather events, American Family Insurance has bounced back with a 22.1% increase in net earnings in 2012. 2011 was particularly bad and included $1.2 billion in damage claims from Midwestern…
Dean Health Plan will add between 30 and 60 jobs in Madison after securing a three-year contract to process claims and provide customer service for Children’s Community Health Plan’s BadgerCare members.
For 13 years, In Business has celebrated the successes of rising business stars in our annual 40 Under 40 issue, and each year we have marveled at the vast richness and diversity of the young candidates. The competition is stiff. Not only are we looking for examples of business success and moxie, but also for people who demonstrate a firm commitment to the local community through board involvement, volunteerism, or other activities.
Wisconsin Physicians Service (WPS) has officially notified the state of Wisconsin that it will cut 451 jobs in greater Madison and Wausau. The company, which announced the possibility of layoffs after losing federal contracts last year, will eliminate 250 jobs…
Anticipated reductions in Medicare payments have led to the elimination of 140 full-time positions at Meriter Health Services in Madison. The cuts – which include some currently vacant positions as well as about 50 current employees – are expected to…
Madison-based WPS Health Insurance announced that it will adjust its resources in response to the loss of some government contracts. Though company officials say the exact numbers are subject to change, by next year, as many as 600 jobs could…
Over 200 call center workers in Cross Plains will lose their jobs when Allstate Insurance Co. closes the center at the end of the year. The announcement came as a complete shock to Cross Plains Village Administrator Matt Schuenke, according…
Madison-based WPS Health Insurance may see a significant reduction in workers as a result of the loss of a federal contract it had since 1966, according to an article in the Wisconsin State Journal. Company CEO Michael Hamerlik only noted…
At the tender age of 31, August Felker’s theme song could be “I’ve Been Everywhere.” Well, almost everywhere. The well-traveled Felker has put down roots Middleton as CEO of Murphy Insurance Group, but while he’s settled, he’s not really done moving. Felker is more interested in building than settling, however, and that’s exactly what he’s in the process of doing with The Murphy Insurance Group.
American Family Insurance is looking to purchase Nashville, Tenn.-based PGC Holdings, a high-risk auto insurer that offers policies in 25 states, for $230 million. Pending regulatory approvals, the transaction with PGC (Permanent General Cos.) should be finalized later this year…
A recent study found that among businesses that are well versed in the new federal health care law, more than half are planning to drop health care insurance for their employees. But to help inform entrepreneurs who plan to provide coverage for themselves or future employees, IB contacted two local insurance experts to explain the options in detail, assuming the law survives a series of legal and legislative challenges.
Business leaders are still wrapping their minds around the many ramifications of cyber liability.
