Insurance in the states: New York retailers often don't cover employees, HHS steps up scrutiny of Ariz. insurers

In New York City, a new study has found only three of 10 retail workers get health insurance through their job. In the meantime, the federal government is stepping up scrutiny of health insurers in Arizona, and Connecticut considers changes to appeal insurance company coverage denials.

The New York Times: Study Of Retail Workers Finds $9.50 Median Pay
Retail workers in New York City earn a median of $9.50 an hour, most are part-time or temporary, and just 3 in 10 receive health insurance through their jobs, according to a new study of the city's larger retailers (Greenhouse, 1/16).

Arizona Republic: Arizona Health Insurance Companies Targeted
The federal government has stepped up scrutiny of health insurance companies in Arizona, with regulators calling one company's most recent rate increase "unreasonable" and vowing thorough reviews of 32 other health insurance plans that are pursuing double-digit rate increases. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said last week that Trustmark Life Insurance Co.'s plan to raise health-insurance rates on Arizona consumers by 13 percent is unreasonable and called on the company to rescind, refund or justify the rate increase (Alltucker, 1/16).

The Connecticut Mirror: State's Failure To Appeal Health Insurance Denials Cost Millions
Connecticut's child welfare agency spends $16.4 million a year on mental and behavioral health services ... one of every five children has private health insurance that is not covering what their doctors say is needed, leaving the state to pick up the tab. That's about to change. ... In an attempt to save money and force insurance companies to cover their clients, [the Connecticut Department of Children and Families] is hiring an expert to appeal insurance company denials (Rabe Thomas, 1/13). 

WBUR: Confusion About Tiered Health Plans
The next time you sign up for health insurance, the cheapest option may well be a "tiered" plan, insurance that rates doctors and hospitals based on the cost and quality of their care and then charges you based on your provider's rating. Would this kind of coverage make sense for you and your family? ... The state's top three insurers say they are concerned about confusion as members get used to their new type of insurance (Bebinger, 1/17).