Wisconsin not alone in seeking medical loss ratio waiver

When Insurance Commissioner Ted Nickel wrote a letter last month to U.S. health secretary Kathleen Sebelius asking for flexibility from the federal health reform law’s medical loss ratio requirements, Wisconsin joined a list of 16 other states seeking a similar waiver. The law requires that insurers in the individual market spend at least 80 percent of their premium revenue on medical expenses. Wisconsin wants that lowered to 71 percent this year, 74 percent in 2012, and 77 percent in 2013. (WHN, 11/7)